No-show Larry tipped to parade Cup at Oracle conference

UPDATE / Sept 26: NBR's spy at the massive Oracle OpenWorld conference in San Francisco reports: "TV station KTVU.com had a story this morning on Larry failing to turn up for his keynote. I do not remember any OOW TV coverage last year. Funny that it took him not being there to make it news. They speculate that he might come to the conference with the cup if they win."

Mr Ellison - who initially received some stick as the America's Cup failed to deliver promised teams, crowds and income - now finds himself the subject of renewed adulation.

"Love him or hate him, Larry Ellison is our billionaire," the San Francisco Chronicle wrote today. 

"The 69-year-old finds himself on an incredible roll this week, hosting two major events in San Francisco simultaneously."

Larry Ellison a no-show for OracleWorld keynote so he can watch race 2; audience of 5000 streams out

Sept 25: Larry Ellison was a no-show at his OracleWorld keynote so he could watch the second the second race of the America's Cup.

The Oracle CEO had been due to address a crowd of around 5000 in one of the main conference theatres of the giant Moscone Centre in San Francisco.

A Kiwi attendee in town for the event told NBR ONLINE the audience started to stream out after it was announced Mr Ellison was indisposed. 

"Thomas Kurian is boxing on delivering for him," NBR's spy reported (Mr Kurian is Oracle's Senior Vice President, Server Technologies Development).

The Oracle OpenWorld conference has around 60,000 attendees this year, spread over several halls at the giant Moscone Centre.

Tickets cost between $125 and $3450. The keynote was also webcast to all-comers.

The IT managers, consultants and other Oracle fans attending the event may have been baffled by Mr Ellison's absence. But it was another good day on the water for the world's fifth richest man as his team collected another two wins to level the series 8-8.

Not everyone was disappointed. Another New Zealander, Courtney Lambert, tweeted that a few were "stabby Larry didn't turn up to his keynote" but that "Thomas Kurian is such a good communicator. Learning heaps from him."