Record numbers at the venues on the Embarcadero as well as Marina Green marked Saturday’s opening day of the America’s Cup Finals as fans onshore and on the water saw amazing racing on San Francisco Bay.
34th America's Cup - Final Match - Race Day 1© ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget
The competition between challenger Emirates Team New Zealand and defender ORACLE TEAM USA thrilled spectators including Hollywood actors Jeremy Renner and Chris Tucker, who were on the water to witness the racing.
Some 28,500 fans came to the America’s Cup Park at Piers 27/29 where gates opened at 10:00am. Early visitors had the opportunity to see the competing AC72s up close and to meet the crews at the 11.15am Dock Out Show.
At the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green, another 16,000 fans watched the start line action on the race course which runs along the San Francisco city-front and is defined by the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island and the Bay Bridge.
34th America's Cup -34th America's Cup; Race Day 1, Oracle Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand; Dock Out Show at America's Cup Park© ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget
“We’ve already had half a million visitors to the America’s Cup during the Summer of Racing,” commented America’s Cup chief executive Stephen Barclay. “But the first Saturday of the September Showdown was exceptional with nearly 45,000 fans enjoying our attractions and watching the breathtaking racing. We knew it would be pretty special when the best two teams in world sailing lined-up against each for the oldest trophy in international sport and so it proved.”
Chris Tucker and Jeremy Renner were right in the thick of the action between the high-speed AC72s raced by the teams. “It’s unbelievable what they do,” said Renner, whose recent releases have included The Hurt Locker, The Avengers and The Bourne Legacy.
Chris Tucker met Jimmy Spithill’s ORACLE TEAM USA crew before the start and although the American team lost both races on Saturday, Tucker was upbeat. “They did a great job. Put me on the back tomorrow!” said the actor/comedian, known for his roles in the Rush Hour movies.
