At the time it was perfectly logical – but then I should know that nothing about the America’s Cup is logical. In the July issue of Yachting World, published on 14 June, I have said that I thought the the America’s Cup Match would an all-European affair, implying that Luna Rossa would win the Louis Vuitton Cup. How wrong I was and how much crow must I eat?

The Italian team had inflicted a humiliating defeat on one of the superpowers in the Cup, BMW Oracle Racing, in the LV semi finals. At the same time Emirates Team New Zealand wobbled a bit when one of the B teams, although it has to be said a fast improving B team in the form of Desafio Espanol, took a couple of races off them before the Kiwis won the series 5-2.

In the finals, though, the Kiwis have really raised their game and apart from a couple of slightly shaky starts have sailed faultlessly. I was wrong.

But if I was Alinghi I would be very afraid.