Putting up the big top
Posted on 07 November 2011
Like a circus coming to town, the America's Cup World Series requires a hurricane of activity behind the scenes to ensure the show runs smoothly.
Arriving in San Diego Sunday night, it was clear the advance guard had been hard at work for some time already - the AC Village is beginning to take shape now, but already the team bases, regatta operation base and TV production facilities are complete or in a very advanced stage. The finishing touches are being applied to the Media Center on Broadway Pier, while the desks in the offices of the event organizers are filling up quickly.
While colleagues already in San Diego this past weekend had been lamenting a few days of cool and wet weather, Monday dawned bright and sunny and while there is an autumnal chill in the air in the morning, the bright sun is working its magic as the day progresses.
Many of the teams are also in an advanced state of preparation. Strolling past the ORACLE Racing base, the two wings are already skinned and ready to be fitted to their platforms. After being one of the later teams to sail in both Cascais and Plymouth, ORACLE Racing is prepared to be among the first here in San Diego. Perhaps skipper Jimmy Spithill is taking advantage of being at home in scheduling his team to an earlier start.
ORACLE Racing Coutts has new skipper Darren Bundock to blood ahead of his first races at the helm of an AC45. Similarly, Aleph and Energy Team have new men at the helm and will be keen to be sailing as soon as possible. Energy Team is also sporting a new look, with the skin on their wing now black.
Principal Race Officer John Craig says his crew is just about ready to go. The long range forecast indicates a chance of showers on the weekend, but the unsettled weather will bring wind as well. Not a bad trade-off.
- Peter Rusch