America's Cup - San Francisco celebrates

by Stephanie Martin on 6 Jan 2011 America's Cup - San Francisco will play host to a very different America’s Cup Finals. With a focus on enhancing the overall event experience, substantial enhancements are being added to both on and off the water elements.

'San Francisco couldn't be prouder to host the 34th America's Cup. With our natural stadium at the footsteps of the City and our consistent, heavy winds, San Francisco Bay will be an arena for some of the most spectacular racing the world has ever seen,' said Mayor Gavin Newsom.

'Paired with the plans of the America’s Cup Event Authority to stage the ultimate fan experience on shore, the 34th edition of the America’s Cup will fast forward the sport of sailing globally.'

The America’s Cup Event Authority, the organization tasked with running the 34th edition, announced its on-shore plans for the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup Finals at a public celebration held at San Francisco’s famed City Hall.

'Our goal is to create a sustainable sports event that gives teams the opportunity to become long-term sports franchises,' said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. 'We’re focused on creating a new era for the America’s Cup, one that both honors its history as well as grabs the attention of new audiences.'

New elements include:

* Groundbreaking new boats - the wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans - capable of close to 40 knots to enable unparalleled racing competition and on-the-water excitement
* New course formats to create tight, tactical racing that showcases the speed of the boats and the skill of the sailors
* Enhanced online broadcasting to deliver a personalized viewer experience
* New broadcast formats including magazine programs, reality formats and racing packaged for live television
* A comprehensive sustainability program focused on the world’s oceans
* New race formats in new race venues through the America’s Cup World Series
* A clear path for young athletes through the Youth America’s Cup

'The addition of these elements gives us the ability to respond to the needs of sponsors and broadcasters,' said Craig Thompson, CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority. 'For example, the new World Series will provide access to more markets and more audiences. We’ll be able to showcase tighter, more tactical races on cutting-edge boats, which is more attractive to both broadcasters and fans worldwide.'

Plans call for Piers 30/32 for the team bases, the public Race Village to be staged at Piers 27/29, regatta operations on Pier 23, and the media center at Pier 19.

The world-famous San Francisco Bay will be home to the 2013 America’s Cup Finals and the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup, as well as an America’s Cup World Series event in 2012. This will be the first time the America’s Cup has been hosted in the United States since 1995.

In the summer of 2011, America’s Cup teams will commence racing in the new America’s Cup World Series in the new AC45 catamaran. The America’s Cup World Series calendar of events will be published in early 2011.

Event Website: click here