America's Cup World Series 2012-13 format announced

by Jane Eagleson on 19 Jul 2012 The opening event of the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series is in San Francisco from August 21-26 this US summer. This marks the first racing in the host city of the 34th America’s Cup. On Wednesday, the format of competition for the new 2012-13 AC World Series was released. It will be a five day program of racing building to a grand finale on the Super Sunday of each event.

'This format is one we intend to use at each of the events for the 2012-13 AC World Series racing calendar,' said Iain Murray, the Regatta Director of the 34th America’s Cup.

The regatta format for the 2012-2013 AC World Series is available here.

'Last season we experimented with a number of different formats to develop a program we were happy with,' he added. 'This year, we’ll have a consistent program for the events, with minor adjustments, if required, for the local conditions in each venue. The stakes have been raised with each race counting towards a season ranking in both fleet and match racing.'

Racing is scheduled to begin on the Wednesday of each event. All races sailed from Wednesday to Saturday count towards qualification for the Match Racing Semi Finals.

On the last day of racing, on Sunday, the top four teams meet in the Match Racing Semi Finals (sudden death), with the winners going to a one-race Final. The event closes with all of the teams racing in the AC World Series Championship Fleet Race with the winner taking all.

2012-13 AC World Series Racing Program:

Wednesday: Match Racing
Thursday: Two Fleet Races (Match Racing Qualifier)
Friday: Two Fleet Races (Match Racing Qualifier)
Saturday: Two Fleet Races (Match Racing Qualifier)
Sunday: Match Racing Semi Finals and Finals; ACWS Championship Fleet Race

Points earned from Super Sunday’s Fleet Racing accumulate over the course of the year to determine the AC World Series Champion. Points earned from a team’s finishing position in the Match Racing Championship determine the AC World Series Match Racing Champion for the season. For the challengers, these points also determine a Louis Vuitton Ranking, which will confer an advantage at the beginning of next year’s Louis Vuitton Download the format and schedule for the AC World Series San Francisco, August 21-26

One tweak for the San Francisco event will see the Match Racing Semi Finals and Finals, normally scheduled for Super Sunday, instead take place on Saturday afternoon, in anticipation of stronger wind conditions. Otherwise, an early start to racing on Sunday could have seen the Match Racing championships determined in very light, fluky conditions before the forecast sea breeze gets established.

The AC Village for the 2012 San Francisco events in August and October will be on Marina Green in San Francisco, with the main public area moving to Piers 27-29 in 2013.

America's Cup website