ACWS Restricted Zone on SF Bay and

What do you do for a headline here?

John Kostecki and Stan Honey Named to National Sailing Hall of Fame

Oracle Team USA Releases Teaser of AC72

Observers of the Emirates Team New Zealand AC72 Say She’s Built for Stout

It’s all good.

I’m thinking most of my readers don’t need for me to list the resume of either Kostecki or Honey, and my other two readers can easily figure things out. I’m carrying print deadlines just now, so let’s content ourselves with the Oracle sneak peek and some need-to-know stuff about ACWS on SF Bay August 22-26. No surprises visible in the sneak peek . . .

Photo copyright Oracle Team USA

The on-the-water plan

Below is a cut-and-paste of the US Coast Guard’s plan for creating and enforcing a restricted zone to protect the America’s Cup World Series race course August 21 (mandatory practice day) through August 26.

What you also need to know is that entry/exit to/from the San Francisco Yacht Harbor will be closed from approximately noon to 5 pm each race day. The finish line of the race will lie between a flag at the end of the jetty and a boat on station. That is, the finish line will be very, very close to the America’s Cup Village, and race boats will be sailing across the entrance to the yacht harbor. To be precise, PRO John Craig intends to close the door at about 45 minutes prior to race time and re-open it as soon as possible after all race boats are returned to their places in the temporary mooring field off the Marina Green. That will take about an hour.

Racing times are 2pm-4pm Wednesday-Saturday and 11:30-1 pm Sunday (times were moved to accommodate a television time slot for East Coast viewing).

And, here’s some good news: China Team is back after sitting out the ACWS Newport regatta. I’m not wasting any more hope that China will pull together an AC72 for 2013, but China Team needs to race here at the Gateway to the Orient, and maybe they can vamp their way to better times along with the French, who are also sitting out AC34 but not the ACWS.

Just one more thought. It has taken A LOT of meetings to arrive at a plan for ACWS in August. I shudder to think of the meetings for October ACWS, when it overlaps Fleet Week, and the jets need their zone, and the boats need their zone.

And a final-final thought. That Irish-Olympic commentary, Some boats in a race, is still around, big time. The IOC tried but to kill it, but they failed, big time.

Coast Guard regulated area for America’s Cup races in San Francisco Bay

SAN FRANCISCO — The Coast Guard will establish a regulated area in San Francisco Bay for the America’s Cup World Series races Aug. 21 to 26.

The regulated area extends from Crissy Field to Aquatic Park and will be in effect from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each race day with the exception of Aug. 26 when the regulated area will be in effect from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The interior of the regulated area will contain a race area marked by stake boats that will fly large red America’s Cup flags. Vessels that have systems that can pick up the Automatic Identification Systems signal will see the race area outlined with virtual buoys. The race area size and location will vary depending on various daily conditions. Vessels may enter the regulated area but may not enter the race area defined by the stake boats.

Entry into or through the race area is strictly prohibited without receiving permission from the Patrol Commander via VHF-channel 23. Unauthorized entry may result in civil and, or criminal penalties.

People who plan to watch the America’s Cup races from the water are reminded to wear proper fitting life jackets. In 2011, 84 percent of all fatal boating accident victims were not wearing a proper life jacket. Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Operating a vessel with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher is illegal in California. Vessel operators should check that all safety gear is aboard their vessel before departing the pier and ensure they have a sober boat driver.

In the event of an emergency the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco Command Center can be reached on VHF-channel 16 or at 415-399-3547.

SAN FRANCISCO – The regulated area for the 2012 America’s Cup World Series races in San Francisco Aug. 21 to 26. This area extends from Crissy Field to Aquatic Park. U.S. Coast Guard graphic.

The race area will be within the regulated area. Vessels may enter the regulated area but may not enter the race area defined by the stake boats.

SAN FRANCISCO – AN example race area for the 2012 America’s Cup World Series races in San Francisco Aug. 21 to 26. This area size and location will vary depending on daily conditions. U.S. Coast Guard graphic.

The race area is not fixed and will be adjusted within the regulated area based on the conditions for that day’s race. The stake boats will adjust to mark the boundaries of the race area and vessels are allowed to watch the race along the boundary. America’s Cup will provide race related information and commentary on VHF -channel 20.

Suns New Jerseys