Monthly Archives: December 2010

“Despite a little uncertainty

. . . there for a moment,” to use the words of Mayor Gavin Newsom— San Francisco has won its bid to host America’s Cup 34. It’s been 320 days since USA 17 crossed a finish line off Valencia, Spain 5 minutes and 26 seconds ahead of the Alinghi catamaran to win Race 2 and [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | Leave a comment

Will they be smiling

. . . tonight? Photo by Ellen Hoke That would be your toothy bloggist, left, with Ray Thomas, Rear Commodore of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, sixth trustee of the America’s Cup. Come Friday evening, New Year’s Eve, December 31, GGYC is scheduled for a change of watch celebration, and Ray moves up one chair [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Tenuous, Tiny Links

Randomly rummaging through my miles of piles, I came across some items from the Christmas of ’82. Why 1982? I said, randomly rummaging. Nearly three decades later, much has changed, and nothing has changed. In the “much has changed” department, I find a note from long distance cruisers Pirooz and Ann Barar about spending Christmas [...]

Posted in Cruising Under Sail, Sailboats | 3 Comments

Milestones and Miles: The 100th Mac

I love Chicago for the sheer vertical audacity of it. An astounding (why here, but why not here?) confluence of energies sets this place apart. And when I flew in for the 100th running of Chicago-Mac, the place was alive. Summer was on. In Millennium Park, the whole world was out . . . At [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

You’re looking here . . .

. . . in the hope that I have news about America’s 34, and the venue selection. Nope. The whispered word from Newport. Rhode Island is “momentum” with further high level talks to come (see below) between race organizers and state officials. San Francisco, meanwhile, indicates a willingness to sweeten its bid because apparently it’s [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | 3 Comments

Over to You, Mr. Ellison

Earlier I posted an account of how the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday in favor of the city’s bid to host America’s Cup 34. Then came time for the Mayor to sign. City Hall was looking bright and seasonal . . . On those steps, last February, Larry Ellison declared that [...]

Posted in Sailboat Racing | 4 Comments

San Francisco Bids (!)

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors today approved a bid to host an America’s Cup match. The vote, 11-0. Board President David Chiu opened discussion at 2:27 and gaveled the resolution passed at 2:48. Mayor Gavin Newsom will sign the Host City Agreement today at City Hall, at the balcony outside Room 200, at 5 [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | 2 Comments

Now to the Board

San Francisco’s Host City Agreement sailed through the Budget and Finance Subcommittee today, and there is no reason to think things won’t go almost as smoothly when the full Board of Supervisors meets tomorrow. Well, maybe with a bit more theater— The newest Northern Waterfront proposal is a sweetened variation of a plan that one [...]

Posted in Destinations, Sailboat Racing | 2 Comments

Not Over Till It’s Over

Dateline Miami What you won’t get, if you’re not part of it, is this. Larry Ellison’s team is going to be just as disappointed as I am if the 34th America’s Cup match is not sailed on San Francisco Bay. I’ve heard them out. I’ve looked into their eyes. I wish I could convey the [...]

Posted in Sailboat Racing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Aleph Joins AC Challengers

News out of Paris today . . . ALEPH CONFIRMED OFFICIAL CHALLENGER & OFFICIAL FRENCH TEAM AMERICA’S CUP 34 ALEPH, the challenge headed by Bertrand Pacé and Alain Gautier, has just taken a major step forward. The French campaign’s entry has been confirmed by the Golden Gate Yacht Club. ALEPH is officially a challenger for [...]

Posted in Sailboat Racing | Leave a comment