This November, the America’s Cup World Series is making its third spot on the circuit, just down the coast in the city of San Diego.
San Diego Harbor provides a perfect stadium for the new-look, high-speed America’s Cup racing that will occur just feet offshore in front of thousands of spectators. Previous America’s Cup races in San Diego were held out on the open ocean. Photo courtesy of Teatro ZinZanni
Published: November, 2011
This November, the America’s Cup World Series is making its third spot on the circuit, just down the coast in the city of San Diego. San Diego was the home to three previous America’s Cups in the late eighties and early nineties, and it’s where famed Skipper Dennis Conner brought the Cup after wrestling it back from the Aussies. But this will be the first time that America’s Cup racing will be seen from shore. While previous editions were held out on the open ocean, now racing will be held just feet offshore, live inside San Diego Harbor in front of thousands of spectators.
"We spent 16 months in San Diego preparing for the last America’s Cup, so we know that the harbor is a perfect stadium for the new-look high-speed, high-energy America’s Cup," said James Spithill, skipper of ORACLE Racing. "We thought it was pretty cool just sailing our wing-sailed multihull back in 2009, but this time there will be a whole fleet sailed by teams from around the world. I can promise you this: people in San Diego will have a new appreciation for America’s Cup sailing."
The AC World Series San Diego event will take place November 12 – 20 inside San Diego Bay, with numerous waterfront viewing locations that will allow spectators to see the on-the-water action up close. In addition to a full race schedule, the series stop will feature the all-ages AC Village at Harbor Drive, which encompasses activities on Broadway Pier and the Navy piers with interactive displays, concession booths and a nightly entertainment schedule.
The highlight of the event is the winner-takes-all fleet race on Sunday November 20, where the teams will compete for the title of AC World Series San Diego Champion, as well as the chance to put points on the board for an overall 2011-12 AC World Series win. Another fan showcase is the AC 500 Speed Trial, where teams push their boats to the limit to cover a 500-meter straight-line course in the shortest time.
"This exciting event will provide the city with a healthy economic jolt and also serve as a great advertisement for San Diego," said San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. "Media from all over the globe will broadcast images of San Diego’s spectacular scenery to viewers as far away as China and New Zealand."
