America’s Cup World Series – San Francisco
Yesterday was the first day of the America’s Cup World Series, San Francisco. It was a true SF day. I can tell you as I grew up sailing in those conditions…foggy and 24 knots of wind on an ebb tide. Not for the pleasure cruiser.
I am the tactician on Artemis Racing – Red which means I am in the front of the boat. Nathan Outteridge, is our helmsman. Nathan (AUS, 26 years old) just won the Gold medal in London in the 49er Class which is a fast, two man, “skiff”. Nathan and I are sailing with three other guys: Curtis Blewett and Rodney Ardern (who were with me on Pirates of the Caribbean in the Volvo Ocean Race 2005-2006) and Phil Jameson who is just the best guy anyone could hope to be onboard with. The boat, a 45 foot catamaran, is flying around the Bay at speeds of up to 30 knots. Hanging onto the front of this thing is tough. But I am still there. The guys are looking out for me!
The ACWS is comprised of two disciplines; Match Racing (one on one…America’s Cup style) and Fleet Racing (all boats together)
Artemis Racing – Red was unseeded for the Match Racing portion of this ACWS so we had to race an elimination series yesterday, with 8 other teams, to find 5 that would go through to the quarterfinals which start today. Artemis Racing – White, Terry Hutchinson and his team, along with the two Oracle boats, were seeded so they did not have to race yesterday.
As it turned out, we were pitted against Emirates Team New Zealand first. They sailed very well and beat us. But we still had a chance to make the quarters by winning the next two races, which we did. The racing was from 1600-1830. By the time we got back to Pier 30/32, got the boat on the mooring and got out of our wetsuits, it was 1930. Long day on the cold Bay!
Today, Artemis Racing – White takes on Team Korea at 12:25 and then at 17:10 and 17:50 there will be the first two fleet races of the week. The schedule is that there is Match Racing each day except Sunday at 12:00 and Fleet Racing each day except Sunday at 17:00. Sunday there is one race…Super Sunday…worth 4 times the points of any other fleet race and it starts at 1350.
I know one thing, I will be missing all this come next Monday!
Paul
