Few men in the world have as much knowledge or concern about the America's Cup as Malin Burnham.

In addition to putting together the organization that conducted San Diego Yacht Club's three defenses from 1988 through 1995, Burnham managed Dennis Conner's successful challenge in Australia in 1986-87 and sailed in the 1977 defense trials.

Burnham hates what he is seeing in the America's Cup these days.

"It does pain me," said Burnham, who knows the pain of these things given the fact that he helped chart SDYC's successful court response to New Zealand's Michael Fay that led to the infamous “catamaran defense” of 1988.

Which is why Burnham recently proposed a five-point plan that would put the America's Cup on a modern sports footing while preserving the tradition. Burnham's ideas:
1.	Have the New York Yacht Club, the original defender of the America's Cup, go to the New York Supreme Court to change the Deed of Gift with the defender reserved only one right – entry into the next event.
2.	Create America's Cup Management as a nonprofit organization.
3.	The directors of the ACM would come from two groups – appointees from the past 10 defenders of the America's Cup and one director from each current entry. 4. The ACM would own all rights.
4.	The ACM would own all rights.
5.	The ACM would determine the venue much the same way the International Olympic Committee picks the site for future Olympic Games.

"I do think the New York Yacht Club has a legal claim and a responsibility to be party to the America's Cup," said Burnham. "Having an ongoing management team would give the America's Cup stability. It would also help address the economics of the event and address some of the outrageous prices we're presently seeing charged."