Race for the Cup
AMERICA’S CUP FINALS: The America's Cup Finals is the culminating event of the 34th America's Cup, the third largest sporting event in the world behind the Olympics and soccer's World Cup. And this is the first time the race has been contested in the USA since 1995. The series will be a best of 17 matches between Oracle Team USA and the expected challenger, Emirates Team New Zealand, for the ultimate prize: The America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport. Though the event is more than 160 years old, only four countries – the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland – have experienced the exhilaration of winning the “Auld Mug,” and only seven cities have hosted the competition before San Francisco. THE BOATS: The Finals will be raced by the new AC72 catamarans for the first time in America’s Cup history. Bigger, faster and more strenuous to race than the previously used AC45, the AC72 is a 72-foot catamaran with two parallel hulls and a 130-foot, rigid wing sail bigger than the wing on a jumbo airliner. Capable of speeds in excess of twice the wind speed, up to 50 mph, these hightech and extremely expensive boats resemble futuristic spaceships as they fly across the water.
EVENTS
Race for the Cup AMERICA’S CUP FINALS TAKE TO THE BAY
CLOCKWISR FROM TOP: © ACEA/PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET; ©ACEA/PHOTO ABNER KINGMAN;©RON SELLERS
BY ZACHARY CLARK
Two years of practice racing and qualifying tournaments on the San Francisco Bay have been leading up to this month’s America’s Cup Finals. The sailing competition for the oldest trophy in international sport takes place Sept. 7-21. The finals expect to see Oracle Team USA— racing for the first time this year—defend its title against challenging Emirates Team New Zealand. With countless vantage points, from shoreline to hills, the San Francisco course offers the most up-close and exciting views in the history of the competition.
WHERE TO WATCH: The newly constructed America’s Cup Pavilion, located at Piers 27/29 on the Embarcadero, is one of the two main viewing sites along the city waterfront. The Pavilion features stadium seating with race footage on a big screen along with commentary during the races. The Pavilion has also featured more than 20 concerts this summer. This month, Jason Mraz takes center stage September 1, Sammy Hagar September 7 and Fall Out Boy along with Panic at the Disco September 21. Further north on the waterfront, the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green features bleachers and grandstands for both free and paid seating, along with food and merchandise shops. Shoreline viewing
BY THE NUMBERS 130 feet The height of the AC72 catamaran 160 The age of the America’s Cup; the oldest trophy in international sport $8 million The cost of an AC72 catamaran
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EVENTS
Race for the Cup AMERICA’S CUP FINALS TAKE TO THE BAY
CLOCKWISR FROM TOP: © ACEA/PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET; ©ACEA/PHOTO ABNER KINGMAN;©RON SELLERS
BY ZACHARY CLARK
Two years of practice racing and qualifying tournaments on the San Francisco Bay have been leading up to this month’s America’s Cup Finals. The sailing competition for the oldest trophy in international sport takes place Sept. 7-21. The finals expect to see Oracle Team USA— racing for the first time this year—defend its title against challenging Emirates Team New Zealand. With countless vantage points, from shoreline to hills, the San Francisco course offers the most up-close and exciting views in the history of the competition.
WHERE TO WATCH: The newly constructed America’s Cup Pavilion, located at Piers 27/29 on the Embarcadero, is one of the two main viewing sites along the city waterfront. The Pavilion features stadium seating with race footage on a big screen along with commentary during the races. The Pavilion has also featured more than 20 concerts this summer. This month, Jason Mraz takes center stage September 1, Sammy Hagar September 7 and Fall Out Boy along with Panic at the Disco September 21. Further north on the waterfront, the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green features bleachers and grandstands for both free and paid seating, along with food and merchandise shops. Shoreline viewing
BY THE NUMBERS 130 feet The height of the AC72 catamaran 160 The age of the America’s Cup; the oldest trophy in international sport $8 million The cost of an AC72 catamaran
w w w.wh e re t r ave l e r. com 21
SF-WM_130900_6_w_now.indd 21
8/16/13 12:20:20 PM
