Billed as “event-ageddon”, the second leg of America’s Cup World Series regatta in San Francisco was part of a weekend which attracted plenty of visitors who gathered in the city.
Mayor Lee thanks America's Cup for showcasing San Francisco in an international setting © ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget
According to Mayor Ed Lee, who visited the America’s Cup World Series on “Super Sunday,” the America’s Cup showcased the city in an international setting.
“It’s fabulous for our city, and a million people came out to watch it,” said Mayor Lee. “They wanted to be near the waterfront so they could see the blend of sky and water, fast racing boats, the Blue Angels. The America’s Cup races next year will be the only international event we have in the U.S., if not North America.”
Similar to the August America’s Cup World Series, another gold medalist took a turn in the guest racer seat aboard an AC45. Three-time Olympic gold medalist swimmer Natalie Coughlin rode with Emirates Team New Zealand and, like Michael Johnson (the gold medalist track and field star) before her, she came away with awe at the athleticism involved to race the AC45.
“It was quite fun, but there was a lot that went into it. I don’t know the terms, but those guys were working their butts off,” said Coughlin. “What was amazing was how closely the boats crossed one another.”
Some highlights of the five-day regatta included:
– A crowd estimated at 1 million visited San Francisco for the America’s Cup World Series and Fleet Week, and a spectator fleet nearing 1,500 vessels was on the water for Saturday and Sunday
– 177 accredited media on-site from 14 countries
– More than 2,600 stories were published in more than 1,000 outlets in 46 countries
– More than 300,000 unique visitors viewed more than 1 million pages on the America’s Cup website at an average duration of 3 minutes
– America’s Cup TV produced 38 videos that have been viewed more than 360,000 times
– The America’s Cup app for iPhone and iPad has been downloaded more than 14,500 times, and more than 2,700 times for Android
– The America’s Cup Facebook page grew by 20 percent and now has more than 118,000 “likes”
– The America’s Cup Event Authority distributed 2,000 gallons (7,570 liters) of water on site, which prevented the use of more than 15,000 single use (500mL) plastic bottles
– Lexus, the official vehicle of the America’s Cup, provided a fleet of hybrid cars that helped save fuel and reduce emissions
– The Healthy Ocean Project had 40 volunteers including teams, fans and HOP members help the Parks Conservancy at Fort Mason restore and clean up the coastline.
ORACLE TEAM USA’s double victories by skipper Jimmy Spithill in the match and fleet racing championships closed out the 2012 calendar year for the America’s Cup World Series.
The next event is scheduled for Italy in April 2013, and America’s Cup Event Authority officials are hoping to organize an event in New York City next June before the summer of racing in San Francisco kicks off on July 4, 2013.
2012-13 America’s Cup World Series Season Championship
Team (Skipper) SF1-SF2 – Total
1. ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL (Jimmy Spithill) 86-79 – 165 points
2. Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper) 85-36 – 121
3. Artemis Racing – White (Terry Hutchinson) 48-72 – 120
4. J.P. Morgan BAR (Ben Ainslie) 37-79 – 116
5. Team Korea (Peter Burling) 65-40 – 105
6. Energy Team (Loïck Peyron) 55-47 – 102
7. Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker) 43-57 – 100
8. ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS (Russell Coutts) 42-56 – 98
9. Artemis Racing – Red (Nathan Outteridge) 38-52 – 90
10. Luna Rossa Swordfish (Iker Martinez) 51-20 – 71
11. China Team (Phil Robertson) 15-28 – 43
(Scoring is based on points accumulated at event fleet racing championships.)
2012-13 America’s Cup World Series Match Racing Championship
1. ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL – 19 points, 2. Emirates Team New Zealand – 16, 3. Artemis Racing – White – 16, 4. ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS – 16, 5. Energy Team – 11, 6. Artemis Racing – Red – 8, 7. J.P. Morgan BAR – 7, 8. Luna Rossa Piranha – 6, 9. Team Korea – 5, 10. Luna Rossa Swordfish – 5, 11. China Team – 3
