America's Cup - San Francisco 2013 - Pictures

info here

http://www.boatered.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=162089

yes, private boats can go in transit area, but you have to keep moving

Big caution on Tuesday Aug 13th. The current match of Italy vs Artemis is a best of 7. The 13th would be the 6th race, so its possible that it could be over and no race on that day.
That said, they would probably be practicing
 
Oh oh....Charlie outed us!!! LOL Actually, Charlie and I have known each other for about 5 yrs. I first "met" him online in the SF Forum about 10 yrs ago. One time I asked for some help on the forum, he volunteered to meet me at Bethel Island and fix my boat! What a guy..... He may not know this, but I checked him out with other forum members before I agreed.

After that I didn't want anybody else to work on my boat....... I might be hesitant to go across SF Bay in a small boat during rough conditions with anyone other then Charlie. He really knows his stuff!
 
They will likely be practicing on Tuesday if there is no racing.

I am back in SF n Sunday and taking a group out on Monday, so in the same boat so to speak. Hoping the semi-finals are still going then. Reasonably close race today, really hoping Artemis keeps improving and can pull out a victory.i
 
Was out on the Bay on Monday. No race 5 as Italy swept the series, but it was the best day so far watching them practice. Both Oracle and NZ were practicing for most of the afternoon. We drifted in the current / wind most of the afternoon between Alcatraz and the SF water front. Both boats did downwind foiling passes by us many times. Two of the passes were really close to us with one close enough the support boat would not have fit between us and the AC boat. It was amazing seeing them on foils that close as it was clear how fast they really are going. I got a lot of pictures but wish I would have thought to get some video. Only a few of the group on board had actually been following the racing but after seeing them put on a spectacular show they are now all AC converts.

For anyone visiting the SF Bay Area I would suggest and afternoon Bay cruise on the Blue and Gold Fleet which departs from PIER 39. The AC boats went very close to several of the Blue & Gold boats during the afternoon. They also have VIP passes for the race days.

I will post a few pictures when I have a chance.

Kris
 
Thanks for the update Kris! Charlie and I had to cancel the day on the bay we had planned for Tuesday. Sometimes LIFE interferes with LIVING!!!! Oh well, we are trying to find a date to reschedule.......
 
Kris - I heard one of the announcers say that Oracle had been able to foil upwind in their practice. Were you able to see that?
I've been out for 4 races now. Viewing from a boat is not that great expcially from the north side of the course. I was able to loiter in the transit area on the South side for one race, but they may start to restrict that if more boats come out as it gets close to the finals. The end of Pier 39 is one of the better view spots, although they get very close to marina green during the race.
 
No foiling upwind that we saw but the wind wasn't blowing that hard, only about 15mph so around 13 kts. I have a big group going out on Saturday hoping for a closer race.
 
Charlie and I rescheduled to Sep 3, the day after Labor Day. I've heard the new Bay Bridge will open that day too.
Any thoughts from the AC experts here?
 
Liz - no races that day. Challenger series will be over and the AC Finals don't start until 9/7

9/3 will have the youth races. They will be in the smaller 45 boats

Challenger Finals start this weekend. First to win 7 races wins
Races 8/16 and 8/7 (2 races per day at 1:10 and 2:10)
Race again on 8/21
Then 8/24 which will be the 7th and 8th races so it could end that day
if still going, will racec 8/25, 8.28, 8/30

Then they break until 9/7 for the AC Finals with Oracle
 
quote:
Originally posted by kgd

No foiling upwind that we saw but the wind wasn't blowing that hard, only about 15mph so around 13 kts. I have a big group going out on Saturday hoping for a closer race.

Click to expand...


I'm gone all weekend, so won't be going back out until 8/24. Hope that isn't the last of the Challenger series. Luna Rossa looked pretty good except for their starts. Artemis won 3 out of 4 starts except the last start "win" they were penalized. So techicaly the ydidn't win it, but they out manuevered Luna Rossa and made a dumb penalty.
If Luna Rossa can't improve their start, I think NZ will run away with it.

One thing I've noticed is that the Oracle boats have a fairing underneath the mast (below the trampoline) whereas the other boats have lots of struts and wires exposed.

News about foiling upwind
http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/17297/foiling-upwind-say-its-so
 
Kris - just a quick note about viewing areas. You probably have a better view from your slip than most of the allowed boat spectator areas. If you can loiter in the transit area south of the course, you can see a lot more and be closer to the boats. I was able to do that for one of the weekday races. Not sure how they are enforcing that area on the weekend. The areas to the north on both sides of Alcatraz, they keep you back pretty far.

I believe they are now doing a 5 leg course rather than 7 legs, so not much time to move around from one spot to another.
 
Thanks getakey. But that sucks---it is the only day I am available........
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Thanks getakey. But that sucks---it is the only day I am available........

Click to expand...


Seriously - you have one heck of a busy schedule
 
I believe the youth series will be fleet races which are more fun to watch in person. I believe there are 10 boats in the youth races. I wouldn't be surprised if Oracle and the challenger are out practicing before or after the youth races. So your September 3 date will likely work out just fine.
 
quote:
Originally posted by getakey

quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

Thanks getakey. But that sucks---it is the only day I am available........

Click to expand...


Seriously - you have one heck of a busy schedule

Click to expand...


We were trying to avoid weekends.... but Charlie is checking to see if Sep 7 is a possibility.

I have lot going on in September this year.
 
Fun day on the bay today.

6NK_1588_zps552c5d81.jpg


6NK_1597_zps351c22bf.jpg


Interesting that I only took a few pictures but got the best part of the race. No one on board had seen any of the racing. When NZ rounded the mark, they asked are they supposed to do that....

6NK_1615_zps13d080c0.jpg


6NK_1617_zpsddd6c0c8.jpg


6NK_1619_zpsc1db813e.jpg


6NK_1618_zps0822b5fc.jpg


6NK_1620_zps9872788e.jpg


The lost crew are on the lower left of the picture.
6NK_1623_zps2deebf5e.jpg


Too bad there wasn't a better race. Hope the Italians are able to fix their boat tonight. Race 2 cancelled do to high winds. Good for Italy.

Kris
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top