More then 160 years old, the America’s Cup boasts the oldest trophy in international sport and is the third largest sporting event in the world, after the Olympics and Soccers’ World Cup. This month, the local excitement begins as San Francisco plays host to a World Series qualifying race on the SF Bay from Aug 21-26. A new tournament-the AC World Series was created by Oracle CEO and avid sailor Larry Ellison. He hopes to woo a younger generation of fans to his fancy pass time that’s becoming something of an extreme sport. The SF Bay is a great stadium for a major sailing event. It’s known to be one of the windiest venues in the world. Swift westerly currents barge headfirst into the easterly wind fostering choppy conditions in the bay. The races meld the traditions and skills of sailing with the crashes, capsizes, and extreme close-shore racing that makes it a true white-knuckle sport to watch!
Alcatraz Island
One can get into the America’s Cup spirit by sailing aboard a yacht that has raced in the famed regatta. USA 76 is San Francisco’s first passenger racing yacht, and you can experience the thrill of taking the helm (no sailing experience necessary). Raise the sails, trim the jib and track across the bay as you sail from Pier 39 to the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz during a three-hour tour at speeds upwards of 20mph. All guided by a professional crew with experience sailing for the ORACLE Racing team and winners of the 2010 America’s Cup.
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