The giant America’s Cup-winning trimaran arrived in the Bay today aboard the freighter M.V. Star Isfjord after a 7,900-mile passage from Valencia, Spain, via the Panama Canal. The ship carrying USA 17 trimaran passed underneath the Golden Gate Bridge at 0530 PST and berthed alongside San Francisco’s Pier 80 at 0650.
The Australian Challenge for the 34th America’s Cup was officially accepted by the defending Golden Gate Yacht Club on 11 January 2011. For the first time in over a decade, Australia has a team in the competition for the world’s oldest sporting trophy.
The New Zealander, who has been a race officer for the last four editions of the America’s Cup, will be the Director of On-Water Operations and Assistant Principal Race Officer. As the Principal Race Officer for the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia, Bennett is also one of the few to have race management experience with giant multihulls.
There are now a total of seven confirmed and validated competitors for the 34th America’s Cup. The seven include ALEPH Equipe de France, Artemis Racing, Mascalzone Latino, ORACLE RACING, two undisclosed teams, and now the Yacht Club de France team. There will be an announcement on Wednesday, 9 February, in Paris to reveal details of the challenging team.
The extraordinary carbon-fiber machine USA 17 is being loaded onto the freighter M.V. Star Isfjord this week for the long delivery trip to San Francisco via the Panama Canal. The freighter carrying both USA 17 and her extraordinary 223ft wingsail is scheduled to leave Valencia on January 29 or 30 for the 7,900-nautical-mile passage to the Bay Area.
The 2013 race dates for the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup Match (Finals) were confirmed today by Regatta Director Iain Murray.
Rolex have issued a Calendar Announcement for 2011 detailing the dates and locations of the Rolex U.S. and Caribbean Sailing Events during 2011.
San Francisco will play host to a very different America’s Cup Finals in 2013. With a focus on enhancing the overall event experience, substantial enhancements are being added to both on and off the water elements. New vision, new boats, new formats meet a new venue.
San Francisco has been selected as the host venue for the 34th America’s Cup. An official celebration event will be hosted in San Francisco on January 5th, event location details to be announced.