The calendar for the 2013 ‘Summer of Racing’ in San Francisco has been unveiled. It will culminate with the America’s Cup Finals from September 7-21, when the defending champion, ORACLE TEAM USA, will compete with the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup (the America’s Cup Challenger Series).
ORACLE TEAM USA in San Francisco © Guilain GRENIER/ ORACLE TEAM USA
This year, winning the America’s Cup will require victory in an unprecedented nine races, in the extreme performance, wing sail, AC72 catamaran yachts, on the most challenging race course in the event’s storied history – San Francisco Bay.
The season begins with opening day on July 4 before racing starts in the Louis Vuitton Cup to select the top challenger. The finals for the Louis Vuitton Cup begin on August 17. The first team to win seven races will become the challenger and advance to race ORACLE TEAM USA in the America’s Cup Finals.
Between the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup Finals, there will be a glimpse of the future when the best young sailors in the world will compete in AC45 catamaran yachts at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup from September 1-4. At least 10 national teams of sailors, aged 19-24, will be racing in this new event designed to create a pathway towards competing in the America’s Cup.
Emirates Team New Zealand testing on the Hauraki Gulf © Chris Cameron/ Emirates Team New Zealand
2013 Schedule – Highlights
July 4: Opening Day
July 5: Fleet racing – all Challengers and the Defender
July 7: First day of racing, Louis Vuitton Cup (America’s Cup Challenger Series)
August 17: First day of racing Louis Vuitton Cup Finals
September 1-4: Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
September 7-21: America’s Cup Finals
September 9,11,13 – Superyacht Regatta
For those in San Francisco, the ‘Summer of Racing’ can be experienced from two main live sites along the city waterfront. The America’s Cup Park at Piers 27/29 is free to enter and features a daily, informative race show program (Dock-out, Dock-in, history, athlete interviews, autograph sessions). There will be a wide variety of food and beverage options, as well as the Louis Vuitton Exhibition, along with other interactive and informative experiences and exhibits and merchandise stores where fans can buy their favorite team and event kit.
Piers 27/29 are also the site of the America’s Cup Pavilion where up to 20 concerts, along with family shows, community and business events, and comedy acts, are planned with the support of Live Nation. During race days, the Pavilion will have race footage on the big screen along with commentary.
Artemis Racing © Sander van der Borch / Artemis Racing
Further down the waterfront, the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green offers free access for all visitors along with paid seating where fans can buy the best seats on the Bay to reserve their view of the action. The America’s Cup Village will also have food and beverage services, merchandise and live race commentary.
There are hospitality options at both the America’s Cup Park and the America’s Cup Village.
Tickets for waterfront seating go on sale in March, with Season Pass tickets available beginning on February 9.
