Despite its long maritime history, San Francisco has never seen sailing quite like the America’s Cup World Series Races held on the bay in August. The city is now looking forward to the event’s return with more races coming in 2013. What is the America's Cup? Simply put: it is the oldest trophy in an international sport. The America’s Cup first became a contest in 1851.
For over 160 years, the America’s Cup has always been at the cutting edge of technology, from the design and build of the boats, to communications to performance data sunglasses featuring a heads-up display that shows information on the inside of the lenses.
The 34th America's Cup in San Francisco consists of three main stages - the America's Cup World Series already held Aug. 21-26 and Oct. 2-7, 2012, and now upcoming is the Louis Vuitton Cup (July 4 – Sept.1, 2013) and the America's Cup Finals (Sept. 7-22, 2013). Adding to the excitement on San Francisco Bay will be the new Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in August and September 2013.
San Francisco is the first city to host the America’s Cup where the races can be viewed from the shore. As experienced at August’s races, the sailors can hear the roar of the crowd and spectators can all but reach out and touch the boats as they fly past.
"San Francisco is a perfect match for the America’s Cup in so many ways," said Joe D’Alessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association. "The sailors will be challenged by the winds and waters of the bay. Spectators all along the waterfront will experience the excitement of the races close up. The worldwide media will practically feast on images of the high-tech boats against backgrounds of the city skyline, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. And the entire city will welcome the global sailing community coming to watch and participate in this world class event."
WHERE TO SEE IT?
Before and after the races, spectators can enjoy activities and entertainment at the America’s Cup Village. For the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Finals, the America’s Cup Village will be at Pier 27 on the Embarcadero. One of the legacies of the America’s Cup in San Francisco will be the city’s new James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 which will debut in the role of the America’s Cup Village in 2013. After the regattas, the versatile structure will be the arrival and departure point for thousands of future cruise ship passengers.
The first America’s Cup World Series event in San Francisco was hailed as a success by Mayor Edwin M. Lee, who presented the prizes to the top three crews in the Match Racing and Fleet Racing Championships.
"This is the first of many races to come and we look forward to the second event in October when all of these teams will be back," Lee said. "Thank you to all of the teams for being here and to all of the city agencies who have worked in collaboration with the event."
"The response from the public has exceeded our expectations," said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the 34th America’s Cup. "This was our first event in San Francisco and our first opportunity to get a taste of racing the wingsail catamarans on the Bay. It’s simply been wonderful for everyone involved."
DETAILS:
The San Francisco Travel Association is the official tourism marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, packages, activities and more, visit www.sanfrancisco.travel or call 415-391-2000. The Visitor Information Center is located at 900 Market St. in Hallidie Plaza, lower level, near the Powell Street cable car turnaround.
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