America’s Cup Comes to America

I see Ernesto Bertarelli, ex-Defender of America’s Cup, quoted as saying that he might challenge again, “if the rules are fair,” which might be the tone-deaf statement of the year. Does the man not realize what just happened?

Meanwhile, I’m off to Sausalito to have a close-up gander at David Rothschild’s Plastiki. On my way out the door, I’ll share this word from the folks at BMW Oracle Racing:

America’s Cup Victory Tour.

Following Sunday’s race victory, which resulted in a 2-0 sweep of the 33rd America’s Cup Match, the BMW ORACLE Racing team is preparing to bring the Cup home to the United States.

The America’s Cup Victory Tour presented by ORACLE and BMW EfficientDynamics will begin tomorrow afternoon February 19, when the trophy touches down in San Francisco following a flight in a first-class seat to SFO from Valencia via Frankfurt. After being welcomed at the airport, the trophy and team will proceed to the Golden Gate Yacht Club – the team’s patron and the Cup’s new home – for a reception with club members and special guests.

Saturday morning, a public viewing is planned at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda. At 11:30 am Mayor Gavin Newsom will formally welcome the Cup and team, including team owner Larry Ellison, back to the United States in a City Hall ceremony open to the public. A press conference will follow.

On Sunday afternoon, the America’s Cup will head south to San Diego, where the team operated a training base for 16 months in 2008 and 2009. At 4:00 pm the America’s Cup will be on public display at the USS Midway museum on the city’s waterfront.

Following a 5:00 pm ceremony with Mayor Jerry Sanders, the trophy and team will head to the San Diego Yacht Club on the replica of the yacht America, for which the trophy is named. [Said replica is owned by Troy Sears, a tender driver for the team, and my RIB driver in Valencia; thanks again for the ride, Troy] A flotilla of San Diego boats will parade along with America for a sunset sail across San Diego Bay to former Cup holder San Diego Yacht Club.

The homecoming tour may be extended to the East Coast, but no schedule has been set.

Suns New Jerseys