QUOTABLE: What the America’s Cup crowd is saying

The Italians are “a bunch of spoiled rich kids dressed in Prada gear. I think it’s just wrong that they should think that by threatening the event and threatening race officials that they’re going to get their own way. It’s just the wrong approach. They’re frankly acting like a bunch of babies. Even my 7-year-old boy doesn’t behave like this. I wouldn’t accept this behavior from him. It’s childish.” – Russell Coutts, Oracle Team USA CEO

The Italians’ stance “is an affront to the fans who’ve been waiting 3 1/2 years for the first race. What everyone will struggle to understand is (Italian skipper Max) Sirena saying he’s taking his stance on principle. This is the most unprincipled action I can think of because Luna Rossa’s case is before the jury. There is no reason not to compete, not to try and put the first score of the regatta on the board.” – Stephen Barclay, America’s Cup CEO

“Every America’s Cup has had its signature event of turmoil, so I guess we’re just getting off to a start here. It normally happens at the start.” – Iain Murray, Regatta Director

“Don’t forget, America’s Cup is and always has been about the America’s Cup match – the finals (in Sept 7-23), which is the big deal.” – Tom Ehman, Vice Commodore of the Golden Gate Yacht Club.

“Know what I love about America’s Cup 2013 to this point? It proves that gazillionaires are just as screwed up as the rest of us. Also, they can screw up things even worse than the rest of us.” – Mark Purdy, Mercury News Columnist

“An event which lives on its history, tradition and unfathomable quirkiness looks like a very scantily-clad emperor after a series of blunders and broken promises. Elegant it ain’t.” – Stuart Alexander, The Independent