In preparation for the inaugural America’s Cup World Series to be held this summer outside of the United States, the America’s Cup event organizers will stage on- and off-the-water dress rehearsals in Auckland April 25-29 and May 2-6.
In preparation for the inaugural America’s Cup World Series to be held this summer outside of the United States, the America’s Cup event organizers will stage on- and off-the-water dress rehearsals in Auckland in the coming months. Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget / www.americascup.com
Bay Crossings STAFF REPORT
Published: April 1, 2011
In preparation for the inaugural America’s Cup World Series to be held this summer outside of the United States, the America’s Cup event organizers will stage on- and off-the-water dress rehearsals in Auckland April 25-29 and May 2-6.
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.
Led by America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM), the first test session will include race course configurations that enable tight, tactical racing as well as umpiring and race management that allow for instant calls during fast-paced competition.
“We are launching a new racing product in July,” said Iain Murray, ACRM CEO and Regatta Director for the 34th America’s Cup and the AC World Series. “We have developed new rules and now we need to test those rules on the water.”
“We learned a lot of things about the performance of the AC45 during sea trials in New Zealand, but now we need to see them in simulated race mode. We will also test new race course configurations to make the racing more engaging for competitors and fans alike.”
During this period, ACRM will test:
• New racing rules for the America’s Cup
• New umpiring system based on the use of GPS data from raceboats and marks
• New race management using telemetry to and from mark boats
• Course configurations for both match racing and fleet racing
• Start line procedures
• On-water communications systems
• Emergency and safety systems
• Shoreside launching, mooring and docking procedures
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 event organizers hope will change the way people will watch sailing on television.
“At each event, we want the viewer to not just see the action, but to really be part of it,” said Richard Worth, chairman of ACEA. “Through our new on-board cameras and microphones, you will get to see the quick decisions being made, the athleticism of the sailors, the raw power of these boats—you will be right there with the teams as they fly over the water.”
During this period, ACEA will test:
• On-board cameras
• On-board microphones
• New broadcast graphics package including use of video and overlay graphics from GPS data
“Our new graphics overlay goes beyond being a viewing aid,” said Worth. “This system will connect viewers to the racing in a way that has not been possible before.”
The AC World Series is a regular circuit of eight regattas that will bring America’s Cup-level racing and the America’s Cup experience to top international venues. Televised to expose millions more fans to the sport of high-performance sailing, the AC World Series will feature both fleet and match racing at each event. At the end of each AC World Series season, a champion will be crowned. These regattas provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America’s Cup competitors racing together. The AC World Series will be coming to San Francisco in the summer of 2012, when the new AC72—the boat to be sailed in the America’s Cup in 2013—will be sailed for the first time in competition.
The Teams Behind the 34th America’s Cup
The 34th America’s Cup is run by two organizations: America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA), which is responsible for the television broadcast, marketing and event management, and America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM), a neutral, independent organization tasked with all of the sporting aspects.
• America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) is headed by CEO and Regatta Director Iain Murray, who is himself a former America’s Cup skipper, noted yacht designer and successful businessman. Joining Murray as his chief operating operator is Andy Hindley, former race manager for the Volvo Ocean Race and Technical Director of Powerboat P1 Management.
• The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) is led by Chairman Richard Worth and CEO Craig Thompson. Amongst their long list of achievements, Worth and Thompson are recognized for their pivotal roles in the phenomenal growth of the UEFA Champions League (European soccer), one of the most watched competitions in world sport. Each also has worked closely with the governing bodies for the Olympics, soccer and athletics—the IOC, FIFA, UEFA and IAAF plus other leading sports federations and rights holders.
ACEA and San Francisco America’s Cup Organizing Committee (SFACOC), led by San Francisco Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Buell, are working together to raise the funds necessary to stage the 34th America’s Cup. The SFACOC will assist ACEA in identifying and connecting them with potential sponsors, as well as be raising money to cover expenses that would otherwise be expended by the City to host the event.
The new AC45 sailboats recently completed initial sea trials in New Zealand. Photo courtesy of Gilles Martin-Raget / www.americascup.com
