John Craig. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com
by ORACLE Racing media
The Marin Independent Journal last week published an editorial wholly backing the America’s Cup on San Francisco Bay. Marin County is located across the Golden Gate Bridge from San Francisco. The Marin Headlands are the northern boundary of the entrance to San Francisco Bay, and the county includes the waterfront towns Sausalito, Belvedere and Tiburon, all great sailing communities.
The editorial opened by saying, “MARIN WILL have front-row seats for the 2013 America's Cup races and bayfront towns already are making preparations for the world's premier sailing event.”
The editorial followed on the heels on the forum Unfurling Opportunities, the America’s Cup on San Francisco Bay. The forum was presented by GoSailingSF.org, a community action group that aims to partner those who desire to sail with those who have the wherewithal. Among the presenters was John Craig, Principal Race Officer for the 34th America’s Cup.
Craig gave the first public presentation in San Francisco about what the course area for the Cup races would look like. He's planning on using every available inch of open water in the main bay and working with all the stakeholders to make sure that works.
John Craig on the course area and venues for the 34th America's Cup:
The shoreside venues are complex and need to fill a lot of different roles - not the least is providing vantage points to see this exciting race without getting out on a boat. The 72-foot catamarans will be visible from many locations on Marin and San Francisco. We want to make sure that everyone who lives here knows the America's Cup is taking place on the Bay.
A preview of that racecourse could be offered in late April when America’s Cup Race Management, the independent body established to conduct racing for the America’s Cup, and the America’s Cup Event Authority stage dress rehearsals April 25-29 and May 2-6 of on- and off-water events associated with an America’s Cup World Series.
These test periods will focus on refining all of the courses, support systems and management procedures necessary to stage each AC World Series event and provide a superior experience for both the teams and spectators worldwide.
The first test session will include race course configurations that enable tight, tactical racing as well as umpiring and race management that allows for instant calls during fast-paced competition.
The second session, led by the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA), will provide the first test of the next-generation broadcast images and graphics that change the way people will watch sailing on television.
The folks in Marin County will have special interest in the dress rehearsals. As the editorial concluded:
“In addition to rolling out the red carpet for well-heeled visitors who want to watch the world's most expensive racing sailboats compete in San Francisco Bay, local officials also need to do everything in their power to keep this big event from turning into a daily nightmare for everyone who lives or works here.
“It is encouraging to see local officials in Southern Marin get an early start on planning for what will be a historic sporting event in the Bay Area.”
34th America’s Cup Entries
There are currently eight teams (the defender and seven challengers) entered in the 34th America’s Cup:
Defender: ORACLE Racing/USA
Challengers: Mascalzone Latino/ITA (Challenger of Record)
Artemis Racing/SWE
Emirates Team New Zealand/NZL
Aleph Racing/FRA
Energy Challenge/FRA
Team Australia/AUS
Challenger #7 – Private
Key Dates
America’s Cup World Series 2011-2012
Event One: July 16-24, 2011
Event Two: August 13-21, 2011
Event Three: September 17-25, 2011
Event Four: October 15-23, 2011
Event Five: December 10-18, 2011
Event Six: February 17-25, 2012
Event Seven: April 14-22, 2012
Event Eight: May 19-27, 2012
(Dates subject to change)
Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series -- San Francisco
July 13-September 1, 2013
34th America’s Cup -- San Francisco
September 7-22, 2013
America's Cup
