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San Francisco to Host America’s Cup in 2013
San Diego has a love affair with boats. Is it any wonder? San Diego County has 70 miles of ocean coastline; San Diego Bay is one of the largest natural harbors in the United States; the U.S. Navy dominates parts of the harbor with its aircraft carriers and other vessels; the San Diego Maritime Museum has the Star of India docked along with several other interesting boats; the Bay is lined by dozens of marinas and nine yacht clubs; once a year the Sunroad Marina hosts a floating boat show January 26 -29; small boat racing is extremely popular; then there is the granddaddy of all the races–the America’s Cup.
America’s Cup in San Diego
San Diego Yacht Club’s Dennis Conner won the America’s Cup in 1987 in Freemantle, Australia. Then the Club defended the Cup in 1988 and 1992 in San Diego before losing to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in 1995.
In the three times that San Diego hosted the America’s Cup competition there were many memorable moments including the first catamaran entered in 1988, the first all-women team, America3, and the sinking of One Australia in 1995 where the yacht sits today at the bottom of the ocean off San Diego. An inlet of the bay was renamed America’s Cup Harbor to commemorate the history.
The winner of the 1851 race was the wooden schooner, America, as painted by the American artist Fitz Hugh Lane.
2011 AC World Series in San Diego
For the first time since the San Diego Yacht Club lost the cup in 1995, the America’s Cup returns to the United States in San Francisco in 2013. In addition to the actual America’s Cup race, an international series of special regattas has been organized featuring the world’s most technologically advance sail boats.
San Diego hosted the 2011 AC World Series, from Nov. 12 – 20. San Diego’s course was set up to allow easy viewing from Harbor Island, Coronado, and the Navy Pier. The weather over the week included rain, wind, blue skies, and lots of glorious sunshine.
In the spring, two additional events will be held: April 7-12, 2012 in Naples, Italy and May 12-20 in Venice, Italy. Competing in the events are teams from France, Switzerland, China, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Korea, and the United States.
The Boats
The AC45 boat designed for the AC World Series is a 45-foot carbon-built catamaran (2 hulls) with a wing that towers over 70 feet above the deck. The boat is designed to handle a variety of wind conditions and can reach speeds of 30 knots. In fact, in certain conditions the boat can reach speeds three times the speed of the wind.
As the photos show, the AC45 demands an extremely fit and nimble crew. Keeping the boat sailing means constant balancing between sail area and weight distribution (the crew!) This means that without a keel the crew must position their weight precisely meanwhile handling lines and sails while battling the wind, waves, and sometimes the rain.
The boats that will race in the actual America’s Cup races in 2013 will be considerably longer, at 72 feet. The World Series events were designed for the sailing teams to test the new boat designs and to perfect the skills of the crews.
Also, the events will showcase the sailboats in a number of international venues. The race courses were specifically designed to give the public better access to the actual races, such that the public can view the races close up from the shore. |
San Diego hosted the third AC World Series event in its spectacular, natural harbor, creating a race course within sight of the Navy’s active aircraft carriers, cruise liners, and historical wooden schooners. PHOTO BY BOB THOMPSON
America—the Winning Schooner
Nearly 160 years old, the America’s Cup is often called “the oldest trophy in international sport.” The first race, held in England in 1851, was won by a schooner named America, representing the New York Yacht Club. The name of this first winning vessel has been attached to the Cup ever since. Britain’s Queen Victoria watched that first race held between the Isle of Wight and the south coast of England.
The America’s Cup is a match between two boats, the “Defender” (Oracle Racing Team) and the “Challenger” (the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup). The boats will be much larger than the boats in the current AC World series, being 72 feet vs. 45 feet.
This is still smaller, however, than the monster winning boat from Oracle in the 33rd America’s Cup which was a 90-foot by 90-foot trimaran (3 hulls) with a 223-foot tall wingsail. This boat will be displayed in San Francisco during the activities of the America’s Cup.
The crew must be in top physical shape as they sprint across netting and handle massive sails. Helmets are not optional. PHOTO BY BOB THOMPSON
Cheer the American Defender
San Francisco will be the place to be for sailboat racing during the summer of 2013. Since this event will be the first time the America’s Cup races will be held in the United States since 1995, excitement is running high anticipating the races at high speeds with the most advanced sailing vessels in the world.
Since the races have been specifically planned to be accessible by the viewing public, racing fans worldwide are planning visits to San Francisco. Perhaps, this race will spur the San Diego Yacht club to take back the Cup after 2013!
To find out more about the upcoming AC World Series races and the America’s Cup races, visit the internet site:
AmericasCup.com. |