America's Cup 34- San Francisco 2013

Man! Has it really been over a month since I last posted?

December and January have been, and will continue to be, pretty crazy for me. Just busy beyond belief. I'm sure that probably goes for a good number of people during this particular season, but between trying and only completing about 25% of my novel for National Novel Writing Month, Christmas shopping, Christmas parties, New Years parties, working on a foot-high stack of files on my desk and finding the time to actually make dinner instead of ordering pizza, chinese or cracking a pack of Ramen...its been tough to find the time for blogging.


That being said, the America's Cup 34 has been announced for San Francisco in 2013! 


I couldn't not blog about it.

(I see this and I can't stop myself from saying out loud "That's so fucking cool!")


San Francisco will host the America’s Cup Finals, the Challenger Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup, and something call the America’s Cup World Series event in 2012. The AC World Series will start out in 2011 on 45' catamarans (racing outside of SF Bay area) and eventually graduate up to the 72' monstrosities. This is the first time since 1995 that the AC will have been hosted in the US. 

FINALLY!

The current plan, as far as I can glean from a myriad of sources, is that the Race Village will be on SF piers 27/29, media on pier 19, regatta operations on pier 23 and team bases on piers 30/32; after a ton of money has been thrown into their redevelopment and the surrounding area's infrastructure of course.


There are currently 6 teams that have their hats in the ring for this America's Cup. 
- BMW ORACLE RACING (US): Defender


- Mascalzone Latino (Italy): Challenger of Record (Club Nautico di Roma)
- ALEPH (France): Challenger 2
- Challenger 3 has entered but apparently has yet to "disclose any details" (The Russian team?)
- Artemis Racing (Sweden): Challenger 4
- YuuZoo Big Boat Racing Team (Australian): Challenger 5 (not listed on the official AC 34 website?)


Alinghi has opted NOT to participate this go-around but stated that it would remain interested in the America's Cup and would be following its developments.


Any other challengers still have till the end of March to enter, since the entry period is from November 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. 


As most of you sailors probably know, there are going to be quite a few changes to the format of this America's Cup. To quote a piece by SailMagazine.com writer Alanna Byrne,

"Changes for the 2013 Cup include the use of wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans, capable of nearly 40 knots; enhanced broadcasting in print, online and television, designed to enhance fan experience; new course formats meant to highlight the ability of the sailors and the speed of the boats; and a sustainability program for the world’s oceans."

Man, I can't wait till I have a chance to go out visit San Francisco for some intense America's Cup sailing.