Archiv für die Kategorie „America´s Cup“

34th America’s Cup Legacy Centers On Healthy Oceans and Sustainability

Posted on 15 July 2011

With the first event on the journey to the 2013 America’s Cup just over four weeks away, so too begins the Cup’s sustainability journey, a key component of the 34th America’s Cup legacy program. The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) is partnering with global and local ocean conservation efforts to reach people around the world who have an affinity for our world’s oceans, and motivate them to act to improve the health of the oceans.

As the launch of the new America’s Cup World Series in Cascais, Portugal this August draws near, the ACEA is proud to introduce the first of these partners, Sailors for the Sea, and to announce its commitment to their Clean Regattas program.

“Sailors have the responsibility to ensure that our sailing grounds remain protected for future generations to enjoy. And as we are delivering the most prestigious sailing regatta in the world, we believe that we have an even greater responsibility,” said Neill Duffy, ACEA, Director of Sustainability. “Looking at the way we manage the on-the-water event is a natural place to start on our sustainability path towards setting a new standard for our sport. We believe that our partnership with Sailors for the Sea will demonstrate our commitment to delivering the 34th America’s Cup as an event with a positive social purpose.”  

Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect the waters upon which people sail. By making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting clean waters and shores. Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of Clean Regattas, and to work to protect waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.

“Sailors for the Sea is proud to work with the America’s Cup Event Authority to implement our Clean Regattas program that supports a clean and healthy ocean ecosystem while reducing the environmental footprint of the America’s Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup Finals,” said Sailors for the Sea CEO Daniel Pingaro.  “We are excited to support the sustainability initiative of the 34th America’s Cup. A clean, diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem is good for the environment, for recreation and the economy. The America’s Cup is moving into a new era and has committed to supporting a healthy ocean.”

In addition to profiling a new global model for sailing event organizers, the ACEA will utilize the global platform of the America’s Cup in partnership with leading NGOs to create awareness about the urgent issues facing our oceans. From public service announcements woven into America’s Cup broadcasts to visible identification on all America’s Cup boats and events, ocean conservation and environmental stewardship will be pervasive throughout the America’s Cup as it travels to global destinations over the next three years, culminating in the America’s Cup Finals in 2013.

About Sailors for the Sea
Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect oceans and local waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.

Simple ways sailors and Regatta Organizers can reduce their impact on our oceans… (more best practices are available here)

• Water Bottle Reduction – Reduce single-use, disposable water bottles at the event site by providing Water Stations and Reusable Bottles to participants (participants can also be expected to provide their own reusable bottles).
• Trash Free Regatta – Keep shores and waters clear of debris. Overboard discharge of trash and littering at shore facilities (e.g., rigging tape, cigarette butts, bottles and cans) should be prevented.
• Regatta Awards – Present race awards and trophies that contain recycled materials, as available. Alternatively, present awards that have a practical use, such as foul weather gear or boat gear.
• Green Team – Assemble a team to work on shore and sea cleanup, oversee recycling operations and communicate the goals and agenda of the program throughout the event.
• Recycling – Provide recycling services at shore facilities for participants to deposit separated recyclable materials (e.g. bottles, cans, paper).

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/7/34th-Americas-Cup-Legacy-Centers-On-Healthy-Oceans-and-Sustainability/

Up and coming stars of the Cup

Posted on 14 July 2011

With the change from large keelboats to fast multihulls, the skills required for America’s Cup racing have changed enormously. For some teams such as Artemis Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand, their existing sailors have been working hard to adapt to the new demands of fast catamaran racing, and doing very well at it.

However, many of the new challengers are opting for young, up and coming stars from the Olympic circuit and the World Match Race Tour.

Green Comm, the Spanish challenger, has signed up a bunch of big strong Olympic sailors from the Finn class. Olympic silver medallist Zach Railey (for Plymouth) from the USA and reigning Finn World Champion Ed Wright from Great Britain are amongst the crew. However, it will be the Slovenian double Olympic medalist Vasilij Zbogar who has been nominated to steer the Green Comm AC45. He earned his two medals in the very simple, relatively slow Laser class, and has recently graduated to the Finn, also a slow, singlehanded dinghy, albeit much more technical.

A Finn or Laser struggles to sail over 10 knots. So what does he know about steering fast catamarans capable of up to 40 knots, let alone managing a team? “Actually I have owned a Tornado Olympic catamaran for the past 10 years, which I sail back home quite a lot,” he says. “And I have done a lot of sailing on the 100-foot keelboat Esimit Europa, so I have plenty of experience, both sailing in a big team, and at speeds over 30 knots.”

Not quite the speed sailing rookie he first appears to be, then. As for Team Korea, they have secured Chris Draper as helmsman, a British sailor with two 49er World Championships to his name, as well as a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics. Draper has also proven himself in fast cats, winning the Extreme Sailing Series in 2009.

Draper acknowledges the Team Korea signing as a massive opportunity, and sounds almost apologetic when he says: “It’s great, and while there are obviously many people who are unhappy with the way the Cup’s gone – for the likes of people like myself coming off the back of Olympic sailing with experience in fast boats, it’s a great opportunity and we’re very, very lucky.”

Team Korea have given Draper free rein on selecting his crew for Cascais, and he has surrounded himself with British talent from Olympic and America’s Cup backgrounds, in addition to Troy Tindill, a Kiwi with vital experience of managing the wing sail on the AC45. Draper is also very familiar with the first venue of Cascais. “I’ve done a lot of sailing in the 49er there, and it sounds like we’re going to be racing the AC45s in the same area, right in front of the town.

“Obviously the wind is going to be shifty and usually you still get some good breeze there, it’s just a lot more unstable, with flatter water.” Draper thinks the fluky conditions might give them a chance against the more experienced AC45 teams.  “I think that helps us a bit. If we were going to a steady wind venue where boat speed and experience in the boat was going to be a huge thing, then that wouldn’t help us as much. The fact that there’s a lot of shifts around and it’s a bit more of an open playing field gives us a bit more of a chance.”

Meanwhile, Venezia Challenge skipper Torvar Mirsky has been building his experience by racing multihulls for the first time this year in the Extreme Sailing Series. The 25-year-old Australian had already been making a name for himself on the match racing circuit, and now with his new catamaran sailing skills, is seen as the ideal candidate to steer Venezia Challenge’s AC45.

For teams such as Team Korea, Green Comm Racing and Venezia Challenge, their experience of AC45 sailing by the time of race one in Cascais will be measured not in weeks, but in days, perhaps just hours. So they will need all the help they can get. But with the calibre of sailors that have been assigned to the task, it won’t take these Olympic stars long to work out what makes an AC45 tick.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/7/Up-and-coming-stars-of-the-Cup/

As seen in Cascais

Posted on 14 July 2011

Photographer Gilles Martin-Raget goes walkabout in Cascais, taking in some sights ahead of the America’s Cup World Series – Cascais.

For more images, see here.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Gallery/2011/7/As-seen-in-Cascais/

All-star lineup for Cascais

Posted on 13 July 2011

The best sailing teams in the world are coming to Cascais, Portugal in August for the opening event of the 34th America’s Cup. The America’s Cup World Series – Cascais will feature 10 boats, sailed by nine teams, representing eight countries.

Crews filled with previous America’s Cup winners, Olympic medalists, world champions, plus round-the-world racers and record setters will contest the first event of the revitalized Cup competition. While some of the more established teams will rely on more experienced hands, new teams from new countries to the Cup are bringing in talent from other disciplines, shaking up the old guard.

Once such sailor is 2004 Olympic medalist Chris Draper (GBR), the new skipper of Team Korea, who is leading his first Cup team: “We’re really excited to be racing these AC45s, even though we are conscious we have some ground to catch up to some of the other teams. Cascais is known for its consistently strong breeze; I’ve sailed there quite a lot in the past, and looking at the race areas, we are expecting offshore and shifty conditions. The racing area up under the town will be very tricky but offer some great spectator opportunities, it should be spectacular with ten boats all starting off the line together.”

The crews for each team have been selected knowing the physical demands the new AC45 catamarans will place on sailors. Powered by a towering 22-meter rigid wing sail, the AC45s are athletic boats, sailed by a crew of just five. Designed to put the best to the test, they are incredibly fast, dynamic, challenging multihulls capable of redlining at 30 knots (35 mph/55 kph) – the new America’s Cup is not for the faint of heart.

Here is a rundown of the top sailors leading each crew:

James Spithill (AUS), helmsman, ORACLE Racing Spithill:

James is the youngest skipper to ever win the Cup at the age of 30. Having spent his life match racing monohulls, he made the switch to multihulls for the 33rd Match look easy, leading his team to a 2-0 win to claim the Cup. 10 years earlier, at the age of 20, James became the youngest helmsman in America’s Cup history when he skippered Young Australia in the Louis Vuitton Cup.

After winning the Match Racing and Melges 24 World Championships in 2005, he was named the Australian Yachtsman of the Year for 2005-06. In recognition of his Cup victory, in 2010 he was given the Australian Male Sailor of the Year Award.

Terry Hutchinson (USA), helmsman, Artemis Racing:

Terry brings a wealth of America’s Cup and one-design experience to Artemis Racing as helmsman.  He joined Artemis Racing for the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas and RC44 Championship Tour in 2009. That same year Terry also added the Audi MedCup circuit title (with TP52 Quantum Racing) to his impressive list of accomplishments, which includes winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2007 (5-0) as tactician of Emirates Team New Zealand. Terry Hutchinson is also well known for his results in the, J24, Farr 40 and Melges 24/32 Classes in the US and Europe.

Dean Barker (NZL), skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand:

Dean Barker has been working hard at sailing catamarans in 2011 and was rewarded this month with a win at the Boston regatta of the Extreme Sailing Series. He had a successful 2010 in monohulls, winning the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas sailed at Auckland in February, La Maddalena, Italy in May and Dubai in November.  He also led his team to the season championship in the Audi MedCup circuit for the second successive year.

Dean first sailed with Team New Zealand in 1995 but he opted for an Olympic campaign rather than to travel to San Diego. He was back with the team for the successful defence in 2000 and stayed with the team for 2003. As skipper for the 2007 challenge, he led the sailing team through the pre-regattas of 2005 and 2006, the victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2007 which earned the team the right to face off against Alinghi for the America’s Cup; a match that has been hailed as the most thrilling for years.

Bertrand Pacé (FRA), skipper, Aleph:

Bertrand Pacé is without question the most experienced French America’s Cup sailor. He has been either skipper, helmsman or tactician in no fewer than six America’s Cup cycles (’87, ’92, ’95, ’99, ’02, ’07) and has experience right back to the 12 Metre era of the 1980s. He has won in most fields of yacht racing, from match racing (World Champion in 1994), to offshore racing (Admiral’s Cup winner in 1991), to one-design (Tour de France winner in ’79, ’80, ’81, ’87, ’88, ’97, ’10), to multihulls, and everything in between.

Mitch Booth (AUS), sports director, China Team:

Mitch began his sporting career aged four when his mother taught him the basics of sailing on Pittwater, near Sydney (Australia). Together with his father, he won his first State Championship as a seven year old. His break-through came at the age of 17, with a second place finish in an Australian Championship guaranteeing his participation at the World Championship in the USA. Mitch and his crew went on to win the title in a 100 boat, nine nation, fleet. Ever since, Mitch has made his life as a professional sailor in projects as varied as Olympic sailing to Ocean racing (Maxi Cats) to keel boat racing.

Off the Water Mitch has been involved in many sailing related activities including updating the  Olympic Tornado Class cat, design and build of A Class cats, the creation of  Extreme 40 , sailing Manager for America’s cup team (1995 ) and technical adviser to the International Sailing Federation.

Loick Peyron (FRA), skipper, Energy Team:

Loïck Peyron is one of France’s most decorated sailors and one of the world’s most accomplished multihull specialists. The French ORMA multihull circuit attracted the best multihull sailors to compete in the ultra-lightweight, super fast 60-foot ORMA trimarans, and with Fujicolor 2 Peyron won the Championship four times during the late 90s and early 2000’s. Alinghi hired Peyron for his multihull talent and helming skills for the 2010 America’s Cup, when he operated as back-up helmsman.

A veteran of over 40 Atlantic crossings, in the beginning of 2011 Peyron put that offshore experience to good use when he won the Barcelona World Race, a two-handed race around the world, with Jean-Pierre Dick in an Open 60 monohull. Aside from his America’s Cup commitments, Peyron has been appointed skipper of perhaps the most powerful sailing boat in the world, the 40-metre maxi trimaran Banque Populaire V, with an attempt at breaking the fastest time around the world planned for later this year. Even in his early 50s, there is no sign of Peyron’s life slowing down. In fact it seems to be getting faster.

Vasilij Žbogar (SLO), helmsman, Green Comm Racing:

Slovenian sailor Vasilij Žbogar is new to multihulls and new to the America’s Cup. But he has shown an extraordinary talent for performing under pressure, winning a bronze medal in the Laser singlehanded dinghy at the Athens 2004 Olympics, followed by a silver medal in China 2008. His motto in his Istrian dialect, “Krepat, krepat ma ne molat!” translates to, “You can die, but never give up!”

His enthusiasm and passion for life have made him one of the most popular sportsmen in Slovenia, and standing at 6’3” his athletic good looks have proven a hit with the opposite sex, having been voted Cosmopolitan’s European sportsman of the year in 2004.

Chris Draper (GBR), skipper, Team Korea:

Chris Draper is one of the best high-performance sailors in the world. The British sailor has won the 49er World Championships twice, in 2003 and 2006, and took the Silver medal in the intervening years. He won an Olympic bronze medal at Athens 2004 in 49ers, dominating the Class for many years while winning two European Championships in 2004 and 2005, and was runner up twice. Although still a multihull novice at the time, in 2009 he steered Oman Sail Masirah to victory in the highly competitive pro circuit in Extreme 40 catamarans, the Extreme Sailing Series. He made a return to Olympic campaigning for London 2012 and won the 49er European Championships for a third time in 2010, but the lure of becoming helmsman for Team Korea in the America’s Cup World Series proved too great, and 33-year-old Draper is now fully focused on a future in the America’s Cup.

Torvar Mirsky (AUS), skipper, Venezia Challenge:

Torvar Mirsky is a young, up-and-coming match racer who is looking to follow in the footsteps of other great Australians in the America’s Cup such as John Bertrand, Peter Gilmour and James Spithill. Now 25 years old, Mirsky cut his teeth in competitive dinghy classes such as Lasers, 420s, 505s and 49ers. After competing in a number of youth match racing events in Australia and New Zealand, he formed the Mirsky Racing Team. The young team scratched its way on to the international circuit, resulting in an invite to the World Match Racing Tour. Since then Mirsky has won Grade 1 match racing competitions in Portugal and Australia, culminating in a silver medal at the 2009 Match Racing World Championships.

While he has built up considerable experience in match racing, multihulls are a new part of the sport for Mirsky. In 2011 he has been competing on the Extreme Sailing Series tour before joining Venezia Challenge for the Italian team’s assault on the 34th America’s Cup.

Russell Coutts (NZL), helmsman, ORACLE Racing Coutts:

Russell is the most successful skipper in the history of the America’s Cup. He has won the America’s Cup four times; three times as skipper (1995, 2000, 2003) and once as CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing (2010). As a skipper, he is undefeated in the America’s Cup and holds the record for most consecutive America’s Cup match race wins with a 14-0 record.

His sailing career also includes an Olympic Gold Medal in the Finn class (1984) representing New Zealand, and he has been named twice ISAF World Sailor of the Year (1995, 2003). In 2005 Russell co-designed the popular RC44 one-design high-performance monohull. He has been honored as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (2009) and Commander of the British Empire (1995).

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/7/All-star-lineup-for-Cascais/

ORACLE Racing looks ahead to Cascais

Posted on 08 July 2011

ORACLE Racing has concluded its training camp in San Francisco, packed up the boats and is looking forward to Cascais.

The team released this video, wrapping up the San Francisco training sessions, with the team anticipating great racing at the first America’s Cup World Series event in Cascais, Portugal, now less than a month away.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/7/ORACLE-Racing-looks-ahead-to-Cascais/

America’s Cup Charts New Course in Cascais

Posted on 08 July 2011

Inaugural AC World Series Event to Deliver Intense Action at the Water’s Edge

The world’s best sailors arrive in Portugal next week to prepare for the inaugural America’s Cup World Series competition in Cascais, the opening event on the path to the next America’s Cup in 2013. Teams are coming for final training on local waters in advance of the start of the series on August 6.

Cascais marks the first stop of the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series, which includes events in Plymouth, England and San Diego, USA before the end of the year, with more events planned for 2012.

The Cascais event signals many firsts in the America’s Cup, including a new format and race course designed to showcase both the exceptional speed and maneuverability of the AC45 catamarans and the skills of the international athletes. The highlight will be a spectacular, winner-takes-all fleet race on Sunday August 14, where the teams will be vying for not just the Cascais title, but also to put first points on the board for the 2011-12 AC World Series.

Tight, short race courses are designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore as well as the online and TV audiences. The innovative regatta format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing, and all-out fleet racing with 10 identical AC45s on the line.

“Seeing 10 AC45s jockey for position on the starting line is an image that will set any sports fan’s heart pounding,” said Iain Murray, CEO and Regatta Director, America’s Cup Race Management.  “And the one-on-one match races promise to be even more intense, at just 20 minutes per pressure-filled contest.  Every decision – and every mistake – could be a game changer.”

In Cascais, a stunning seaside town offering strong afternoon breeze, racing will take place within meters of shore side spectators on the River Tagus waterfront. Bringing America’s Cup level competition within shouting distance of fans will be one of the highlights of this new America’s Cup cycle.

The Cascais AC World Series will consist of four events over nine days: the Cascais America’s Cup Open, the America’s Cup 500 Speed Trial, the America’s Cup Match Racing Championship and the America’s Cup World Series Cascais Championship – a winner-takes-all race, which is the showcase competition of the Cascais event.

Cascais AC Open – Held over the opening weekend, this fleet racing event will reveal what the teams are made of both in terms of tactical decision-making and pure speed. The opening weekend will feature up to four fleet races with 10 boats battling for supremacy.

AC 500 Speed Trial – On the opening Saturday, the teams will vie for the title of fastest boat through timed speed trials over a 500-metre course, pushing their wing-sailed AC45 catamarans to the limit.

Cascais AC Match Race Championships – The third stage of the competition pits the teams in one-on-one clashes to earn a place in a final showdown on Saturday. Each day will consist of three, 20-minute fleet races to determine the top six teams, who then face off through three match races. Every day of racing produces a ranking of the full fleet. The results over the three days will determine the seeding order for the Match Race Championships.

On the final Saturday, The Match Race Championship will find the six best teams (as determined over the previous three days) battling through a Quarter Final, Semi-Final and Final to determine the Cascais AC Match Race winner.

AC World Series Championship Cascais – This title is at stake on the final Sunday in a winner-takes-all fleet race, where all teams will have a shot at glory.

“This is a tremendous moment in America’s Cup history, where cutting-edge innovation will be harnessed into some spectacular sailing,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. “Identical boats that can go faster than the wind mean a strenuous, physical event where the best of the best will shine through. We look forward to celebrating this inaugural AC World Series in Cascais.”

At the end of the overall 2011-2012 AC World Series events, a series champion will be crowned based on the cumulative scores from each event.

Download Race Schedule

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/7/Americas-Cup-Charts-a-New-Course-in-Cascais/

Public comment period opens in San Francisco

Posted on 11 July 2011

The following press release was issued by office of San Francisco Mayor Edwin M. Lee.

MAYOR LEE ANNOUNCES MILESTONE IN PLANNING FOR THE 34TH AMERICA’S CUP EVENTS AND CRITICAL RELATED PORT PROJECT

Public Comment Period Opens for Draft EIR for Events, Related Port Cruise Terminal Project; Represents a Key Step Forward in Meeting the Challenge of Hosting America’s Cup Events

San Francisco, CA—Mayor Edwin M. Lee today announced the issuance of the Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR), a critical milestone in the planning for the America’s Cup events in 2012 and 2013 and the associated construction of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal at Pier 27 by the Port of San Francisco.

“This is a major milestone for our efforts to bring the excitement of the America’s Cup events here to San Francisco,” said Mayor Lee. “The Draft EIR represents a significant and thorough effort by the City and its partners at the America’s Cup Event Authority and America’s Cup Race Management to analyze the impacts of the events. Now, with the help of further community input, we look forward to refining those plans even further in advance of the project approval process later this year.”

The economic impact of San Francisco hosting the 34th America’s Cup is significant, and includes an estimated 8,800 jobs, distributed widely across occupations from food and beverage to hospitality, transportation, and the construction trades, and nearly $1.4 billion in economic impacts to San Francisco and the Bay Area region.

The San Francisco Planning Department, pursuant to the San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 31, has determined that an EIR is required for both projects based on the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The Draft EIR presents an analysis of the physical environmental effects of implementing the proposed 34th America’s Cup project and the proposed James R. Herman Cruise Terminal project. The Draft EIR addresses the full range of environmental topics required under CEQA, describing the environmental setting, assessing impacts, and identifying mitigation measures for potentially significant and significant impacts.

As set forth in the Draft EIR, the America’s Cup events in the City are proposed to include two separate nine-day America’s Cup World Series regattas in late summer 2012, followed by the Louis Vuitton Cup, The America’s Cup Challenger Series and America’s Cup Defender Series (if necessary) in July-August 2013 and the America’s Cup Finals from September 7-22, 2013.

If the proposal is approved as described in the Draft EIR, the core and shell of the James R. Herman Cruise Terminal would be constructed to house America’s Cup hospitality functions as part of the larger America’s Cup Village at Piers 27-29, before completion of the remainder of the facility following the America’s Cup events. Other key event locations would include Piers 30-32 (racing team bases), Pier 80 (racing team industrial bases), and park lands along the City’s northern waterfront where spectators would be expected to congregate.

“With our partners, we’ve focused on building a plan that will deliver the greatest America’s Cup ever seen, connecting millions of global fans back to the sport while respecting the needs and values of our host city and its residents,” said America’s Cup Race Management CEO and Regatta Director Iain Murray. “The proposal in the Draft EIR really supports that vision, and with further input from community, will enable us to stage an event that showcases San Francisco on the world stage as a top international destination and model for global sporting events.”

“The energy and commitment shown by the City and its America’s Cup partners with respect to the CEQA process has benefits even beyond the events,” said Planning and Conservation League (PCL) Executive Director Bruce Reznik. “By upholding the engagement process around these key environmental issues the America’s Cup is bolstering the commitment of the state of California to the thorough vetting of environmental impacts prior to the approval of projects.”

“We are witness to an incredible effort by the City to mobilize planning and environmental resources and expertise under a microscope of public scrutiny and compressed time frame,” said San Francisco America’s Cup Organizing Committee Chairman Mark Buell. “This feat makes our job of raising the funds necessary to pay for the environmental review a little easier as our donors will be honored to support the City’s herculean effort.”

The Draft EIR was issued by the Planning Department today. Interested persons may obtain the document at the Planning Department Public Information Counter at 1660 Mission Street, 1st floor, or go to: http://tinyurl.com/meacases.

Oral public comments on the Draft EIR will be heard before the Planning Commission on August 11, 2011 where comments will be transcribed by a court reporter. Written comments will be accepted by the Planning Department until the close of the 45-day public review period on August 25, 2011. Written comments should be sent to Bill Wycko, San Francisco Planning Department, 1650 Mission Street, Suite 400, San Francisco, CA 94103, or sent by email to Joy Navarrete, the CEQA coordinator for this project, at joy.navarrete@sfgov.org.

After the close of the comment period described above the Planning Department will prepare a Comments and Responses document that will respond to all oral and written comments received. It will be published in Fall 2011 and then brought before the Planning Commission for final certification as required prior to any project approvals.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/7/Public-comment-period-opens-in-San-Francisco/

Kiwis ready to roll in Cascais

Posted on 12 July 2011

With the America’s Cup World Series – Cascais now less than one month away, Emirates Team New Zealand is looking forward to getting on the water and pushing the limits in the first event of the 34th America’s Cup.

As the top challenger in the last multi-challenger Cup in Valencia in 2007, the Kiwis remain a formidable team, a benchmark of sorts for the other competitors.

But that Cup success came nearly five years ago, on monohulls. Now, everything about the America’s Cup has changed. New boats, new race format, new demands on the sailors. So Emirates Team New Zealand has been preparing for Cascais the only way it knows how – by spending time on the water, both in Auckland and abroad on the multihull circuit.

“Before the AC45 left Auckland last month on a Maersk Line container ship, the sailing team had been training on it almost every day,” confirmed Grant Dalton, Managing Director of the team. “Sailing team members have also been taking part in Extreme Sailing Series regattas with some good results.”

They’ve been doing more than taking part. In fact, after two consecutive second place finishes, Emirates Team New Zealand earned a stunning, come-from-behind win in Boston last week, to claim their first title of the 2011 season. With the victory, the team is now leading the season championship by one point over fellow Cup challenger Artemis Racing. So Emirates Team New Zealand will arrive in Cascais firing on all cylinders.

“Sailing team members are making a smooth transition from monohull to multihull sailing…” Dalton says. “(But) practice is over, Cascais is serious racing, the start of the buildup to the 34th America’s Cup. Racing catamarans with wingsails will be a new experience for all the teams. It may take a few days for the teams to settle in, but once they do it will be something to see.

“We expect to learn a lot about racing multihulls and we hope for really good racing. We have seen at Auckland that these yachts can be a spectacular sight when they are powered up. Cascais will be the first opportunity to check in with the other teams. We have put in the hours on the water so hope to make a good showing at Cascais.”

Certainly the venue should be to the team’s liking. Emirates Team New Zealand has enjoyed success on the waters off Cascais over the years when it competed in the MedCup circuit.

“We are really happy to return,” Dalton says. “We do have good memories of Cascais and the TP52 regattas. And I think the local people will enjoy eight days of racing that is not only historic in terms of the America’s Cup, but also really competitive.”

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/7/Kiwis-ready-to-roll-in-Cascais/

China Team to Contest the 34th America’s Cup

Monday, March 28, 2011

Team to Feature Mainly Chinese Sailors, on a China-Built Boat

For the second time in America’s Cup history, China has entered a team to challenge for the oldest sporting trophy in the world, and bring it to China.  

China Team, with the full support of the Chinese Government, is the 8th challenger for the 34th America’s Cup, joining the best sailors in the world to compete in the Louis Vuitton Cup – the America’s Cup Challenger Series – to reach the America’s Cup final, in San Francisco during the summer of 2013.

Mr. Wang Chao Yong, chairman of China Team, is delighted to lead the challenge for the second time and believes that he has put in place a team of experts who will lead China Team to greatness.

“All boats need to be designed by the team, and built in country. We have been working with some of the best worldwide designers for hull and wings for a few months already, in partnership with top Chinese Universities. This is an opportunity to showcase China’s talents in the leading-edge hi-tech areas of both hydrodynamics and aeronautics. Our boat will then be built in China, and ready to sail by February 2012,” said Mr. Wang.

The 34th America’s Cup has taken a big step into the future, with teams sailing the AC72, a very hi-tech, wing-sailed multihull. These catamarans are the equivalent of the Formula One cars for the seas.

“This America’s Cup will feature the best sailors on the fastest boats, so we’re very happy to be part of this adventure with China Team, a boat which will truly represent China, as most sailors will be Chinese”, Mr. Wang added.

Thierry Barot, CEO of China Team has been busy recruiting the worldwide and Olympic champion sailors who will be responsible for training the sailing team. “Our boat will be powered mainly by Chinese sailors, and we are very fortunate to have an elite team of international sailors to come to China and train our Chinese team”.

Another new addition to this cup is the America’s Cup World Series, a circuit of races around the world which will provide sailors with more opportunities to compete with one another, and also build excitement for each home team over the next 2 years.

“We are very pleased to welcome our eighth challenger, China Team, to the 34th America’s Cup,” said Richard Worth, Chairman of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “China Team makes a wonderful addition, bringing another continent of athletes into our international field of strong competitors, as well as a very powerful market to add to the commercial strength of the 34th America’s Cup.”

Louis Vuitton, America’s Cup long standing main partner, is delighted to welcome a strong Chinese team “China Team” led once again by their friend Wang Chao Yong who will fly the Chinese colors on the seas.

In 1421, sixty years before Columbus, China hit the high seas with a vast armada of impressive sailing ships. These seamen were the ancestors of the young 21st-century sailors we see in China today.

“China has a 600-year-old tradition of sailing!” said Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, speaking of the new Chinese team entering the America’s Cup. “They will have to win the Louis Vuitton Cup and beat all the challengers before getting a chance to compete against the American Defender, Oracle Racing. Just the kind of challenge the Chinese relish!”

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/news/china-team-to-contest-the-34th-americas-cup_73

And then there were 10

Thursday, March 24, 2011

With the entry deadline of 31st March fast approaching, two more teams have been accepted as competitors for the 34th America’s Cup.

Formal, public announcements by these two teams, revealing their identities, nationalities and plans are expected as early as next week.

“With the deadline for entries coming at the end of this month, it’s fantastic to have two more competitors in the line-up this week,” said Iain Murray, Regatta Director for the 34th America’s Cup.

“This brings us up to 10 teams in the competition with a little over a week remaining before the deadline for entries.”

These two competitors for the America’s Cup join ranks with ALEPH-ÉQUIPE DE FRANCE (France), Artemis Racing (Sweden), Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), Energy Team (France), Mascalzone Latino (Italy), ORACLE Racing (USA), Team Australia, and one other undisclosed team.

The entry process and validation procedures are set out in the America’s Cup Rules and can be found at americascup.com.

The entry period for the 34th America’s Cup runs November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/news/and-then-there-were-10_72