San Francisco Bay Brief

San Francisco Bay Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

America’s Cup 2013: Experts appointed to Review Committee

May 15, 2013

This summer’s events remain on track, as confirmed by America’s Cup organizers. In parallel with finishing the last arrangements for the America’s Cup, a highly experienced panel of sailing and safety at sea experts has been named and charged with reviewing the training as well as competing of AC72 yachts in the 2013 America’s Cup.

America's Cup Press Conference in San Francisco © ACEA Photo : Guilain GRENIER

America's Cup Press Conference in San Francisco © ACEA Photo : Guilain GRENIER

The Review Committee will make its recommendations following the loss of Artemis Racing crew member Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson (GBR) in a training accident on San Francisco Bay on Thursday of last week.

Members of the Committee have strong backgrounds in the sport at its highest levels as well as involvement in other reviews where an incident at sea has claimed the life of a competitor.

Iain Murray, the Regatta Director, will chair and lead the Review Committee comprised of:

•    Iain Murray (AUS, Chair)
•    Sally Lindsay Honey (USA, Deputy Chair)
•    John Craig (USA)
•    Chuck Hawley (USA)
•    Vincent Lauriot-Prévost (FRA)
•    Jim Farmer QC (NZL)

The U.S. Coast Guard supports this approach and will assist as appropriate. Lt. Jon Lane, with 26 years in the Coast Guard and 10 years experience as a marine casualty investigator will serve as liaison.

Tom Ehman, the Vice Commodore of the Golden Gate Yacht Club (the America’s Cup Trustee), said, “The America’s Cup will go ahead this summer. We will see the world’s best sailors racing at the highest level on one of the most iconic race tracks in sport.”

With regard to the Review, Ehman added: “The Committee brings immense experience and expertise to this Review. At a meeting in San Francisco this morning, the teams expressed unanimous support for this Committee and this process.”

The Review Committee will report as soon as possible, given that racing starts in seven weeks.

America’s Cup Director tasked with running fact-finding mission

May 11, 2013

Set to work on a review into the circumstances surrounding the capsize of the Artemis Racing AC72 yacht on Thursday, America’s Cup Director Iain Murray says consultation with stakeholders is already underway.

Image credit to Artemis Racing/Sander van der Borch

Image credit to Artemis Racing/Sander van der Borch

On Tuesday, Murray has scheduled a formal meeting when all four teams competing in the Summer of Racing – ORACLE TEAM USA, Artemis Racing (SWE), Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) – will be in San Francisco.

“The meeting with the teams is a crucial next step,” Murray said. “We need to establish an open flow of information to ensure this review meets its goals of fact-finding and putting us in a position to recommend changes, if necessary.”

One aspect of the review will involve study of all data that was captured at the time of the incident.

“Once we have the information, the basic facts, all the data, then we will be able to re-build the entire chain of events and start to assess why this incident resulted in a tragic loss of life,” he said.

On Saturday, Artemis Racing released a statement: Artemis Racing is in the process of conducting a thorough review and analysis of this week’s accident. As a part of this review, Artemis Racing is sharing and exchanging data and information with concurrent work being performed by America’s Cup and the San Francisco Police Department. Until this process is complete, any conclusions being made about the events that led to the boat’s capsizing and its tragic outcome are pure speculation. Out of respect for Bart’s memory and his family, we ask that the broader sailing community and others reserve judgment until all the facts are known, and not persist in unnecessary rumor. We again thank everyone for their continued support and thoughts during this difficult time.

America’s Cup Director Iain Murray to lead review following tragic death of Artemis Racing crewmember

May 10, 2013

America’s Cup Director Iain Murray will conduct a review into the events surrounding the capsize of Artemis Racing’s first catamaran yacht AC72 as well as the subsequent tragic loss of crewman Andrew Simpson.

from left) – Regatta Director Iain Murray, ACEA CEO Stephen Barclay, Captain Matt Bliven, US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, and Captain Thomas Cleary, San Francisco Police Department, address the media at a press conference on May 10, 2013, in San Francisco.

(from left) – Regatta Director Iain Murray, ACEA CEO Stephen Barclay, Captain Matt Bliven, US Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, and Captain Thomas Cleary, San Francisco Police Department, address the media at a press conference on May 10, 2013, in San Francisco © ACEA / Photo Guilain GRENIER

During training on San Francisco Bay yesterday, Artemis Racing capsized in winds between 18 and 20 knots. The boat broke apart and Simpson, 36, became trapped.

Support vessels on site rushed to recover the crew from the water and it quickly became apparent that Simpson was missing. After he was retrieved, CPR was administered by trained professionals, both afloat and at the dock, for more than 20 minutes. Approximately 30 minutes after the incident, he was pronounced dead.

“It was less than 24 hours ago when this accident happened and the pain is still very acute for everyone involved. Our condolences go out to Andrew’s family and friends, and the members of Artemis Racing,” said Stephen Barclay, chief executive of America’s Cup Event Authority, at a press briefing this morning.

“It’s too early to speculate about the causes of the accident. Iain will conduct the review and will liaise with the San Francisco Police Department and the United States Coast Guard and any other third-party experts as necessary,” Barclay said.

Murray is a veteran ocean racer and America’s Cup sailor, having been part of four America’s Cup campaigns. His knowledge of the sport is thorough and he declined to speculate on the causes, or prejudge the results of the review.

“All we know is that the boat ended up capsized, the hulls upside down, broken in half,” said Murray. “The split seconds from when the boat was sailing upwind to the pictures that we’ve all seen (of the boat turned upside down and broken apart), there’s a gap in there and that’s what we need to fill in and find out what happened.”

Artemis Racing chase boats were assisted in the recovery effort by members of ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge 2013, all of whom were on site observing the training session.

“This is a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by sailors on the water, whether they’re commercial sailors or recreational or professional sailors,” said Captain Matt Bliven of the U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, which will liaise with Murray on the review.

“It also underlines the importance of adequate training and proper gear to minimize the impact when something goes wrong. That’s something we’ve consistently seen from the America’s Cup organization and the participating teams – their level of preparation and training to avert these types of mishaps,” Bliven said.

No timetable has been placed on completing the review. The San Francisco Police Department is also conducting its own review as normal procedure when there is loss of life.

“Iain’s going to conduct his review and it’ll be thorough,” said Barclay. “I have every expectation that we will host a spectacular event here in the summer, but I’m not going to prejudge it. Iain will conduct his review and we will see the outcome and recommendations of that.”

America’s Cup Artemis Racing sailor Andrew Simpson passes away in training accident

May 10, 2013

Today, May 10, in San Francisco, saw Artemis Racing, with immense sadness, confirm the tragic death of crewmember Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson.

San Francisco Harbour - Photo by Gulain GRENER/www.oracleracing.com

San Francisco Harbour - Photo by Gulain GRENER/www.oracleracing.com

Andrew, a British double Olympic gold medallist, was one of the 11 man crew aboard Artemis Racing’s AC72 catamaran which capsized during training on San Francisco Bay ahead of this summer’s America’s Cup. All other crew are accounted for.

Simpson however was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost.

“The entire Artemis Racing team is devastated by what happened,” said CEO Paul Cayard. “Our heartfelt condolences are with Andrew’s wife and family.”

Two weeks left to the America’s Cup San Francisco racing

May 03, 2013

Only two weeks left to the start of the America’s Cup “Summer of Racing” in San Francisco. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for the 4 July, with 5 July being marked by a special fleet race for all of the teams.

Luna Rossa - Image courtesy of America's Cup

Luna Rossa - Image courtesy of America's Cup

Racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, officially begins on July 7 with a match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge of Italy. It continues on July 9 with Sweden’s Artemis Racing taking on the New Zealanders, and July 10 with Luna Rossa against Artemis Racing.

The Louis Vuitton Cup schedule is packed with action. Some highlights:

  • The Louis Vuitton Cup round robins are scheduled July 7-Aug. 4. Wins are worth 1 point
  • The Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Final, a best-of-seven series, is scheduled Aug. 6-14
  • The Louis Vuitton Cup Final, a best-of-13 series, is scheduled Aug. 17-30
  • Racing is scheduled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
  • Start times for the round robins and semi finals are scheduled for 1:15 pm PT (Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays) or 2:15 pm PT (Wednesdays)
  • Mondays and Thursdays are scheduled reserve days
  • In the round robins and semi finals, one race is scheduled per day with a target elapsed time of one hour
  • In the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, two races are scheduled each day, each with a target elapsed time of 30 minutes

The top team at the end of the round robins gets to choose whether it advances directly to the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals or races in the semi finals. With a break of 12 days in the offing, presumably the winner would choose to go to the final and let the other two teams continue slugging it out in the semis.

Throughout the Louis Vuitton Cup the defender, ORACLE TEAM USA, will also have access to the race course four days per week, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, sometimes sandwiched around the challengers’ racing.

The America’s Cup Finals are scheduled Sept. 7-21, with racing set for Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The match is a best-of-17 series. Two races are planned each day, lasting approximately 30 minutes, and beginning at 1:10 pm PT and 2:10 pm PT. A break of approximately 30 minutes between races is mandated by the Protocol.

Tickets for 2013 America’s Cup in San Francisco now on sale

April 04, 2013

Tickets for the Best Seats on the San Francisco Bay for the upcoming America’s Cup are now on sale. Individual tickets for up to 50 days of action during the Summer of Racing can be purchased starting at only $15.

Pier 27-29 from embarcadero

Pier 27-29 from embarcadero - Image credit: ACEA

“This is going to be the most accessible America’s Cup in history for spectators,” said Stephen Barclay, the CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “San Francisco Bay is a natural amphitheater and the America’s Cup race course takes advantage of natural contours of the Bay to create a true stadium sailing experience.

“What was often hard to see in previous editions, with racing far offshore, is going to be impossible to miss this summer, on a race course just yards off the city front,” Barclay continued. “Beginning today, fans can reserve one of the best seats on the Bay to share in the excitement.”

The 2013 America’s Cup promises to be faster and more on the edge than at any time in the event’s 162-year history.

All those who have experienced the next-generation high-speed America’s Cup race boats onboard have been profoundly impressed by the performance.

“The speed is really impressive,” said San Francisco’s mayor Ed Lee.

“It’s fast; it’s amazing,” added US Olympic sprint star Michael Johnson.

Marina Green from east

Marina Green from east - Image credit: ACEA

Individual and group tickets are available in the following seating locations:
•    America’s Cup Village: The America’s Cup Village represents the largest, most centralized land-based viewing experience. Located in the heart of Marina Green, the grandstands offer unobstructed views of the Bay and the starting line for spectators to enjoy the racing. Fans will experience live race commentary and have access to nearby stores and exhibits. Within America’s Cup Village, fans can purchase tickets to The Deck, East Grandstands, West Grandstands, and Race Course Bleachers.
•    SS Jeremiah O’Brien: Historic WWII Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien offers a “50-yard line” view of the race course. “Liberty Ship Experience” guests will witness the intense AC action up-close from the decks of this National Historic Landmark, while enjoying luxurious appointments, modern amenities and access to the finest food & beverage concessions.
•    PIER 39: Complete with open bleacher seats and a lounge area with reception-style furniture, the PIER 39 Rooftop Lounge experience is the premier public spectator event for the 2013 America’s Cup. Its elevated nature offers unparalleled views of the entire race course for the America’s Cup Finals. Live race footage and commentary will be broadcast throughout the venue. Gourmet catering options, including alcohol, are included with each ticket.
•    On-Water: Fans will have the opportunity to purchase individual tickets or charter an Official Stake Boat or Support Boat to view the action at a premium location on the Bay. This program includes a wide variety of vessels to accommodate all price points and capacities.

The countdown to the 2013 Summer of Racing is now underway. With an opening ceremony on July 4th, racing starts with the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Series, on July 7th and continues through the America’s Cup Finals in September.

Admission to both the America’s Cup Park (Piers 27/29) and the America’s Cup Village (Marina Green) is free. In addition, a limited number of bleacher seats at the America’s Cup Village are free each day on a ‘first come, first served basis’ as well as on Wednesdays during Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin and Semi Final racing.

Fans can purchase tickets to guarantee their seating and enjoy an upgraded experience for an even higher level of enjoyment.

Tickets for on-shore and on-water experiences are now available as well as hospitality options at both the America’s Cup Park and the America’s Cup Village.

Carbon free America’s Cup Summer of Racing

March 26, 2013

The plan for the America’s Cup Summer of Racing in San Francisco is to be carbon neutral, as a result of a partnership announced today between America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) and Vancouver, BC based Offsetters, North America’s top carbon management solutions supplier.

America's Cup Trophy in San Francisco © ACEA 2013: Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

America's Cup Trophy in San Francisco © ACEA 2013: Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

Today’s announcement supports ACEA’s commitment to sustainability while delivering one of the most fiercely competitive sporting events, as four teams race for the oldest trophy in international sport.

“Our unique partnership with Offsetters marks the 34th America’s Cup as the first in history to have an Official Carbon Credit Supplier, and is a crucial step forward to meeting our goal to make this race as sustainable as possible,” said Stephen Barclay, CEO of ACEA.

To help the America’s Cup reach its sustainability goals, Offsetters will provide a portfolio of high quality carbon credits that have strong links to marine benefits and the sport of sailing. Offsetters will also manage the America’s Cup Sustainability Credit (“ACSC”) Program.

Each ACSC is comprised of a carbon credit equivalent to removing one tonne of greenhouse gas emissions from the atmosphere, and a cash donation to a restoration project in San Francisco Bay, where the sailing event takes place. The aquatics-related carbon credit projects will prevent emissions from entering into the atmosphere, thereby compensating for the emissions arising from the event that are under the control of the event organizers. All carbon credits will be sourced from high-quality projects, designed to meet or exceed the highest international standard for carbon accounting and offsetting.

The America’s Cup Sustainability Plan outlines the ACEA’s approach to delivering sustainable event activities in San Francisco.  Strategies include diverting materials away from landfill, sourcing local and sustainable food, and reducing emissions from transportation. A robust event carbon management strategy is being implemented to measure the event carbon footprint, reduce ACEA’s owned emissions, and to compensate for ACEA’s unavoidable emissions associated with event activities in San Francisco.

Offsetters and ACEA will also work with interested stakeholders who want to compensate for their own emissions from the Summer of Racing – resulting from air travel and other carbon emitting activities – by encouraging them to acquire ACSC.

“We’re proud to partner with such a historic sporting event and to showcase ACEA’s forward-thinking leadership in environmental sustainability,” said Dr. James Tansey, CEO of Offsetters. “The projects we have chosen to offset its emissions will continue as living environmental legacies of the 34th America’s Cup, long after the athletes and spectators have returned home.”

Royal Huisman looking forward to 2013 superyacht regattas

March 19, 2013

If 2012 was a great year for superyacht regattas, 2013 goes one further. From St Barth’s Bucket kicking off later this month, the prestigious Dutch luxury yacht manufacturer Royal Huisman looks forward to the 4th Dubois Cup at Porto Cervo in Sardinia from 1st – 3rd June, with the yard as a Gold Sponsor.

St Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 - Photo by Tim Wright

St Barths Bucket Regatta 2012 - Photo by Tim Wright

The Dubois Cup will be followed by the Newport Bucket from 23-25th August, where the Royal Huisman is a founding Bucket sponsor, and will culminate in the America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta in San Francisco from 9th – 13th September, where the yard has joined forces with three other leading superyacht yards to co-sponsor the event.

A veritable feast of superyacht campaigning and camaraderie!

Official Superyacht Regatta of the 34th America’s Cup

February 27, 2013

Boat International Media, in partnership with the America’s Cup, is thrilled to be organizing the official Superyacht Regatta of the 34th America’s Cup, that will take place in San Francisco.

Superyacht Regatta logo

Sailing enthusiasts from around the world will have had a full summer of high speed racing, with the Louis Vuitton Cup (America’s Cup Challenger Series) raced in July and August to determine who will race Oracle Team USA in the America’s Cup Finals beginning on 7 September.

For the very first time superyachts will be able to be at the heart of the action; participating in their own regatta over the three America’s Cup Finals lay days; 9, 11 and 13 September 2013. In addition to three spectacular days of racing, an exclusive social program will ensure that owners and their guests are entertained to our usual first class standards.

Exclusive in-venue berthing is available offering prime positioning to watch the racing as well as being ideally located next to the America’s Cup Park, which includes a Pavilion for 9,000 fans to watch the racing, live music and exhibitions of past America’s Cup winners.

Regatta Social Program

America's Cup Superyacht Regatta Social Program

Sailing superyachts that have booked a berth for the duration of the 34th America’s Cup Finals will be able to enter the Superyacht Regatta at no additional charge.

Yachts who have not booked berths as part of the Superyacht Program can enter the Superyacht Regatta, however a participation fee will apply.

Boat International Media is pleased to confirm that Alloy Yachts, Perini Navi, Royal Huisman and Vitters Shipyard have joined forces to co-sponsor the 2013 America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta, and it is expected that many of the participating yachts will be representing these world-leading shipyards.

Boat International Media is also delighted to welcome Gold Sponsor, Napa Valley, who will host the Owners’ Dinner at a prestigious winery, as well as Silver Sponsor Southern Spars.

Supplied by boatinternational.com

Five of the best youth sailing teams in the world qualify for Red Bull Youth America’s Cup

February 25, 2013

After a grueling two-week Selection Series in San Francisco, five of the best youth sailing teams in the world have qualified for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. The 12 crews, from 11 nations, were pushed to the limit as they struggled for the right to participate in September’s competitions.

Team Tilt (SUI), ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR), Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT), Roman Hagara (AUT) - Lifestyle

Team Tilt (SUI), ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR), Hans Peter Steinacher (AUT), Roman Hagara (AUT) – Lifestyle© Balazs Gardi / Red Bull content pool

National crews from Australia, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland, made the cut to advance to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup where they will meet five crews supported by current America’s Cup teams.

Double Olympic Gold medalists Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, the Sports Directors for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, made the selections after closely monitoring the teams on and off the water during the two back-to-back selection weeks. With the high talent level and extreme motivation of the crews, there were hard choices to make.

“This has been very difficult,” Hagara said. “The level of each team is much higher than we could have hoped for, which is good. But only five of them are able to race with us in September so today’s decision wasn’t easy to make.”

Race results made up 60-percent of the selection criteria. Teams were also evaluated on professionalism on and off the water, as well as on the training programs they have set up to develop their skills further between now and September.

ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team of Portugal race during the Red Bull Youth America's Cup Selection Series in San Francisco

ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team of Portugal race during the Red Bull Youth America's Cup Selection Series in San Francisco© Balazs Gardi / Red Bull content pool

“We always said we were looking for the best of the best,” said Steinacher. “And that’s what we have now. I believe any of these five teams will be capable of winning in September.”

The teams proved their mettle in challenging winter conditions on San Francisco Bay, one of the most challenging race venues in the world. Cold and strong winter winds made taming the AC45 catamarans, with their towering wing sails, difficult. But the youth sailors, aged 19-24, were up to the task.

“We went into this with a plan not to let them sail in over 15 knots of wind and to keep the teams inside the Bay Bridge,” Steinacher said. “We broke both of those rules on the very first day! Fortunately, the teams have shown us they are able to handle the boats in conditions that are on the limit.”

The five teams selected today have now qualified to race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup from September 1-4, in a fleet that includes five additional youth crews supported by current America’s Cup teams.

Red Bull Youth America's Cup - Selection Series, session 2, Final day

Red Bull Youth America's Cup - Selection Series, session 2, Final day© ACEA 2013/ Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

In their own words:

Lucien Cujean (SUI), skipper, Team TILT: “It feels good, very good. It’s great news. Even though we won the racing portion of the selection series, that’s not the only criteria. So we were nervous about the selection.”

Bernardo Freitas (POR), skipper, ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team: “We’re excited for the announcement. Excited for September. I believed we’d have a chance. In the racing we showed we’re a good team and we have good skills on the water.”

Will Tiller (NZL), skipper, Full Metal Jacket Racing: “We’re pretty psyched. It’s about 5:00 in the morning (the team is in Oman training ahead of an X40 regatta) and we were all sitting around the phone, nervous. But we’re very happy to have made the selection. The opportunity to race the RBYAC is fantastic, but now the hard work begins. We have to put together a training program.

Philipp Buhl (GER), skipper, STG/NRV Youth Team: “It was a brilliant week. We didn’t expect to be first, but we stayed grounded through the week and kept improving. We really improved our maneuvers and team work. In the end, we learned not to talk so much. Everyone learned to do their job and just did it.”

Jason Waterhouse (AUS), skipper, Objective Australia: “It was a mind-blowing week. We learned so much. It’s our first time racing together as a crew, but we gelled well… Our preparation was sound.”

Jimmy Spithill, skipper, ORACLE TEAM USA, and a driving force behind the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup: “My pathway to the America’s Cup was one of good luck. When I was a youth sailor there wasn’t a clear pathway to the Cup. But the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup gives these guys a great opportunity, and the game’s opened up to much wider participation. The level of organization from these teams is impressive.”

Russell Coutts, CEO, ORACLE TEAM USA, and a driving force behind the creation of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup: “The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is meant to be a way for youth sailors to show their talents and make it to the pro sailing ranks. This (on the AC45 wing sail catamaran) is some of the best and most fun racing I’ve done in years. I’m sure they’ll enjoy it too.”

Selection Series Teams advancing to Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
Australia – Objective Australia
Germany – STG/NRV Youth Team
New Zealand – Full Metal Jacket Racing
Portugal – ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team
Switzerland – Team TILT

Youth crews supported by America’s Cup World Series Teams
France – Energy Team/Name TBC
New Zealand – Emirates Team New Zealand/Name TBC
Sweden – Artemis Racing/Swedish Youth Challenge
USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/American Youth Sailing Force (SFO)
USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/USA45 Racing (USA)

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