San Francisco saw the start of building on Pier 27, celebrated by Mayor Ed Lee as well as ORACLE TEAM USA head Russell Coutts, with a ceremonial signing of the agreement between the host city and the event.
Signing of the agreement for the City to host the America´s Cup in 2013 - San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee
Pier 27 will be the heart of the 34th America’s Cup over the summer of 2013, with the spectator village on shore and the starting and finishing lines for the racing just yards away, offshore.
“The America’s Cup will bring new life, new amenities and new excitement to San Francisco’s waterfront,” the Mayor said. “This great race, this grand tradition, this remarkable 161-year-old competition is part of the revitalization and refurbishment of this pier and our City’s waterfront.”
Meanwhile, in Venice, Italy, preparations are moving fast for the next stop on the America’s Cup World Series. The cargo ship carrying all of the AC World Series ‘materiel’ arrived in Venice on Thursday. Unloading started immediately, allowing the shore crews to start setting up bases for the teams and organization. The first day of sailing for some teams could be as early as May 8.
The Venice event is the penultimate stop on the 2011-12 AC World Series circuit. James Spithill’s ORACLE Racing crew holds the narrowest of leads over Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand – just one point – with Artemis Racing in third place. Festivities in Venice begin on May 12, with the point-scoring Championship Racing running from May 17-20.
