Will San Francisco host the next America's Cup?
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quote:
Originally posted by BayAreaBoater
And I highly doubt that those gazillionaire boaters are going to be willing to hang out in Richmond during the event. [:-skull]
Heck, they'd probably be better off in Bethel Island! [:-fight]
[irate]
Good idea. They can run the race on Frank's Tract. The weed beds and the sunken tractor should add an interesting aspect to the race.
That comment on Frank's Tract made me laugh out loud.. that's what we need, a Red Neck America's Cup right up the San Joaquin!
But seriously, I have a hard time visualizing the traditional course on SF Bay proper, but I'm sure if any one can it's Larry Ellison. Of course there are those here who would stage it right off Ocean Beach...
But seriously, I have a hard time visualizing the traditional course on SF Bay proper, but I'm sure if any one can it's Larry Ellison. Of course there are those here who would stage it right off Ocean Beach...
San Diego and Newport are now fighting to have the America's Cup;
From the SF Chronicle:
RI emissary has high hopes for America's Cup
By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Writer
Monday, February 22, 2010
________________________________________
Halsey Herreshoff on Saturday delivered a letter pleading Rhode Island's case to Larry Ellison, whose BMW Oracle Racing last week won back the America's Cup trophy for the United States off the coast of Valencia, Spain.
The letter from Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri urges Ellison to consider returning the event to Newport, which hosted it from 1930 to 1983, and contends that the City by the Sea is the sailing capital of the United States.
"We understand that you are looking for the best venue possible, and we look forward to making the case that there is no better place than Rhode Island," the governor wrote in the letter, which Herreshoff handed to Ellison in San Francisco during a victory tour of the oldest trophy in international sports.
Other cities in the running include San Francisco and San Diego, which has hosted three America's Cup Regattas.
The competition for the cup looks formidable, at least judging by Ellison's public comments over the weekend; he called San Francisco his first choice for the venue during a celebration in that city, and later described San Diego as a "fantastic alternative."
But Herreshoff said he remains convinced that Rhode Island, with open access to Narragansett Bay and an extensive marine trade industry along the coast, remains the best sailing environment in the country.
He said he was left with "guardedly optimistic feelings" about the state's prospects despite the glowing endorsements offered to San Francisco and San Diego.
Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp., said a decision could be made within months. The next regatta — the 34th America's Cup — could be held as soon as 2012, he said.
"He assured me this issue is still open and they're going to give every consideration to each of the places," Herreshoff said. "It's clear both in my direct conversations with him and what he said publicly that this is open between these three places."
Officials in Rhode Island say hosting the event would be a boon to the economy in a state where the unemployment rate is nearly 13 percent.
Herreshoff, who has himself raced in America's Cup competitions, is president of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, R.I. He is acting as Rhode Island's emissary in attempting to woo the America's Cup return.
The governor's letter invokes the Ocean State's rich maritime heritage and argues that Rhode Island has invaluable experience hosting the competition.
"The day that the Cup was lost in 1983 — and the day that America's Cup racing left Newport — is etched in the memories of Rhode Islanders," the letter says, later adding, "We know what it takes to accommodate this world class event, and would welcome the opportunity to do so again."
An East Coast tour of the cup is also planned, though the itinerary hasn't been finalized, said Jane Eagleson, a spokeswoman for BMW Oracle Racing.
San Diego makes a pitch for America's Cup regatta
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
The two men met privately before a public ceremony aboard the USS Midway museum on San Diego Bay featuring the oldest trophy in international sports.
Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing won back the America's Cup for the United States a week earlier in Valencia, Spain, completing a two-race sweep aboard its space-age trimaran against two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland.
The Cup belongs to San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, BMW Oracle Racing's patron. Ellison said San Francisco was his first choice as the port in which to defend sailing's most coveted trophy, but that the city by the bay was no shoo-in.
Sanders said he can appreciate Ellison giving San Francisco the first crack at hosting sailing's marquee regatta.
"But we really know we can do it better," Sanders said.
San Diego has hosted three America's Cup regattas, in 1988, 1992 and 1995.
BMW Oracle Racing spent 16 months testing its massive trimaran in San Diego before relocating to Valencia late last year. It was in San Diego where the syndicate first used the radical wing sail that gave the trimaran a definitive speed edge over the Swiss catamaran.
Ellison said making San Diego a stop on a victory tour also was a nod to the San Diego Yacht Club, the former Cup-holder that stood by BMW Oracle Racing during a bitter, 2 1/2-year court fight against the Swiss that preceded the Americans' stunning sweep.
Ellison said a decision about the 34th America's Cup will be made in conjunction with all challengers as the sailing community tries to repair the damage caused by the court fight, in which Ellison's syndicate triumphed.
"Again, these aren't our decisions that we are going to or we should make all by ourselves," Ellison said during a trip from the Midway to the San Diego Yacht Club aboard a replica of America, the schooner that beat a fleet of British ships in 1851 to give the silver trophy its name. "We're talking to all the teams involved and all the interested parties to make sure we make a decision that's right for sailing."
At one point, some serious star power gathered with America's co-owner and captain, Troy Sears, for a photo op at the helm. Ellison was joined by Dennis Conner, a four-time America's Cup winner; BMW Oracle Racing CEO Russell Coutts, now a four-time Cup winner, including the first three as a skipper; and Jimmy Spithill, who at 30 became the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup.
"All three of those guys have steered America's Cup champions, and I haven't, so I thought I'd get out of the picture pretty fast," Ellison laughed.
Coincidentally, Coutts helped bring the America's Cup back to California after leading Team New Zealand to a five-race sweep of Conner off San Diego in 1995.
Sanders said he thinks San Diego has an excellent shot at regaining the regatta.
"San Francisco has to prove that they can do it. We've got a few years, so I think we're in good position," the mayor said.
"If San Francisco can get it done in time, that would be great. If not, San Diego is a fantastic alternative," said Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp. "They've hosted three Cups here in San Diego and they did a terrific job. It would be great. I think we want to be in an urban area. I know it's very important to Russell and the rest of the team that we make it a spectacular spectator sport that will inspire young kids, who watch it on television to say, 'Wow, that's cool, I want to go sailing.' We really should have it a large-scale urban area."
Newport, R.I., also has lobbied Ellison to host the Cup. Newport hosted the racing from 1930 until 1983, when the New York Yacht Club's 132-year winning streak ended.
Ellison reiterated his pledge that BMW Oracle Racing will push for fair rules and an independent governing body.
"Everyone will have a fair chance to win," he said. "They just have to sail fast. No politics included."
Ellison, who attended a ceremony with his team Saturday at San Francisco's City Hall, said he hoped the decision on the venue could be made in the next couple of months. He said he hoped the next regatta could be held as early as 2012, or maybe 2013.
"Again, the sooner the better. Everybody wants to see a multi-challenger event again," he said.
Even though he spent an estimated $200 million on the entire campaign, including the court fight, Ellison didn't ride aboard his trimaran during Race 1 due to a weight limit, watching it from a chase boat. He was aboard during the clinching Race 2.
"I said, Jimmy, c'mon, let me steer, and he said, 'No,'" Ellison laughed.
Ellison did get to steer the boat on the long ride back to port after Race 1.
"We were doing about 25 knots, both hulls flying for quite a time, and I kept pushing it, pushing it, and Russell said, 'You know Larry, your driving cannot win us the Cup, but your driving can lose us the Cup, if you flip this thing over. Back off! Slow down!' It was kind of funny. But I enjoy driving that boat."
From the SF Chronicle:
RI emissary has high hopes for America's Cup
By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Writer
Monday, February 22, 2010
________________________________________
Halsey Herreshoff on Saturday delivered a letter pleading Rhode Island's case to Larry Ellison, whose BMW Oracle Racing last week won back the America's Cup trophy for the United States off the coast of Valencia, Spain.
The letter from Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri urges Ellison to consider returning the event to Newport, which hosted it from 1930 to 1983, and contends that the City by the Sea is the sailing capital of the United States.
"We understand that you are looking for the best venue possible, and we look forward to making the case that there is no better place than Rhode Island," the governor wrote in the letter, which Herreshoff handed to Ellison in San Francisco during a victory tour of the oldest trophy in international sports.
Other cities in the running include San Francisco and San Diego, which has hosted three America's Cup Regattas.
The competition for the cup looks formidable, at least judging by Ellison's public comments over the weekend; he called San Francisco his first choice for the venue during a celebration in that city, and later described San Diego as a "fantastic alternative."
But Herreshoff said he remains convinced that Rhode Island, with open access to Narragansett Bay and an extensive marine trade industry along the coast, remains the best sailing environment in the country.
He said he was left with "guardedly optimistic feelings" about the state's prospects despite the glowing endorsements offered to San Francisco and San Diego.
Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp., said a decision could be made within months. The next regatta — the 34th America's Cup — could be held as soon as 2012, he said.
"He assured me this issue is still open and they're going to give every consideration to each of the places," Herreshoff said. "It's clear both in my direct conversations with him and what he said publicly that this is open between these three places."
Officials in Rhode Island say hosting the event would be a boon to the economy in a state where the unemployment rate is nearly 13 percent.
Herreshoff, who has himself raced in America's Cup competitions, is president of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and America's Cup Hall of Fame in Bristol, R.I. He is acting as Rhode Island's emissary in attempting to woo the America's Cup return.
The governor's letter invokes the Ocean State's rich maritime heritage and argues that Rhode Island has invaluable experience hosting the competition.
"The day that the Cup was lost in 1983 — and the day that America's Cup racing left Newport — is etched in the memories of Rhode Islanders," the letter says, later adding, "We know what it takes to accommodate this world class event, and would welcome the opportunity to do so again."
An East Coast tour of the cup is also planned, though the itinerary hasn't been finalized, said Jane Eagleson, a spokeswoman for BMW Oracle Racing.
San Diego makes a pitch for America's Cup regatta
By BERNIE WILSON, AP Sports Writer
The two men met privately before a public ceremony aboard the USS Midway museum on San Diego Bay featuring the oldest trophy in international sports.
Ellison's BMW Oracle Racing won back the America's Cup for the United States a week earlier in Valencia, Spain, completing a two-race sweep aboard its space-age trimaran against two-time defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland.
The Cup belongs to San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, BMW Oracle Racing's patron. Ellison said San Francisco was his first choice as the port in which to defend sailing's most coveted trophy, but that the city by the bay was no shoo-in.
Sanders said he can appreciate Ellison giving San Francisco the first crack at hosting sailing's marquee regatta.
"But we really know we can do it better," Sanders said.
San Diego has hosted three America's Cup regattas, in 1988, 1992 and 1995.
BMW Oracle Racing spent 16 months testing its massive trimaran in San Diego before relocating to Valencia late last year. It was in San Diego where the syndicate first used the radical wing sail that gave the trimaran a definitive speed edge over the Swiss catamaran.
Ellison said making San Diego a stop on a victory tour also was a nod to the San Diego Yacht Club, the former Cup-holder that stood by BMW Oracle Racing during a bitter, 2 1/2-year court fight against the Swiss that preceded the Americans' stunning sweep.
Ellison said a decision about the 34th America's Cup will be made in conjunction with all challengers as the sailing community tries to repair the damage caused by the court fight, in which Ellison's syndicate triumphed.
"Again, these aren't our decisions that we are going to or we should make all by ourselves," Ellison said during a trip from the Midway to the San Diego Yacht Club aboard a replica of America, the schooner that beat a fleet of British ships in 1851 to give the silver trophy its name. "We're talking to all the teams involved and all the interested parties to make sure we make a decision that's right for sailing."
At one point, some serious star power gathered with America's co-owner and captain, Troy Sears, for a photo op at the helm. Ellison was joined by Dennis Conner, a four-time America's Cup winner; BMW Oracle Racing CEO Russell Coutts, now a four-time Cup winner, including the first three as a skipper; and Jimmy Spithill, who at 30 became the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup.
"All three of those guys have steered America's Cup champions, and I haven't, so I thought I'd get out of the picture pretty fast," Ellison laughed.
Coincidentally, Coutts helped bring the America's Cup back to California after leading Team New Zealand to a five-race sweep of Conner off San Diego in 1995.
Sanders said he thinks San Diego has an excellent shot at regaining the regatta.
"San Francisco has to prove that they can do it. We've got a few years, so I think we're in good position," the mayor said.
"If San Francisco can get it done in time, that would be great. If not, San Diego is a fantastic alternative," said Ellison, the CEO of Oracle Corp. "They've hosted three Cups here in San Diego and they did a terrific job. It would be great. I think we want to be in an urban area. I know it's very important to Russell and the rest of the team that we make it a spectacular spectator sport that will inspire young kids, who watch it on television to say, 'Wow, that's cool, I want to go sailing.' We really should have it a large-scale urban area."
Newport, R.I., also has lobbied Ellison to host the Cup. Newport hosted the racing from 1930 until 1983, when the New York Yacht Club's 132-year winning streak ended.
Ellison reiterated his pledge that BMW Oracle Racing will push for fair rules and an independent governing body.
"Everyone will have a fair chance to win," he said. "They just have to sail fast. No politics included."
Ellison, who attended a ceremony with his team Saturday at San Francisco's City Hall, said he hoped the decision on the venue could be made in the next couple of months. He said he hoped the next regatta could be held as early as 2012, or maybe 2013.
"Again, the sooner the better. Everybody wants to see a multi-challenger event again," he said.
Even though he spent an estimated $200 million on the entire campaign, including the court fight, Ellison didn't ride aboard his trimaran during Race 1 due to a weight limit, watching it from a chase boat. He was aboard during the clinching Race 2.
"I said, Jimmy, c'mon, let me steer, and he said, 'No,'" Ellison laughed.
Ellison did get to steer the boat on the long ride back to port after Race 1.
"We were doing about 25 knots, both hulls flying for quite a time, and I kept pushing it, pushing it, and Russell said, 'You know Larry, your driving cannot win us the Cup, but your driving can lose us the Cup, if you flip this thing over. Back off! Slow down!' It was kind of funny. But I enjoy driving that boat."
IF it is held in SFO, do they have to race counter-clockwise?
Pelosi will ensure the EIS are in concrete for SFO as a campaign promise. After she is re-elected.....all bets are off.
I would like to see RI get it again. Offer Ellison enough tax credits to make RI an Oracle hub and he just might do it. Hell...give him Quonset. It has everything he needs including an airstrip big enough for the space shuttle.
Pelosi will ensure the EIS are in concrete for SFO as a campaign promise. After she is re-elected.....all bets are off.
I would like to see RI get it again. Offer Ellison enough tax credits to make RI an Oracle hub and he just might do it. Hell...give him Quonset. It has everything he needs including an airstrip big enough for the space shuttle.
Great news! Even local naysayers were prattling on about how SF couldn't pull this one together. This will make for some excellent coverage on TV but I plan on being there.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...1QRE.DTL&tsp=1
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...1QRE.DTL&tsp=1
Here is a link that works...... http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2010/12/31/san-francisco-wins-americas-cup.html
This is fantastic news!!!! Whoo hoooooo
This is fantastic news!!!! Whoo hoooooo
Lets see if this one works. The updates on this story are coming pretty fast. Nice news for New Year's Eve, huh?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/31/BAQ11H1QRE.DTL
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/12/31/BAQ11H1QRE.DTL
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If this happens in SF it will be an epic disaster,in the way most things in SF are.
SF gets things done right if it has to get done in a hurry. They estimate 6-9 months to get the permits and EIRs done leaving a good 18 months for the building. I'm looking forward to see it happening.
Look at it this way. It can't take any longer than building the new Bay Bridge span.
Look at it this way. It can't take any longer than building the new Bay Bridge span.