Yesterday afternoon I viewed the Americas Cup from the Marina Green. The race course is very close to the land, so I could view the action onboard with even my weak pair of binoculars. The boats often look close to colliding. I saw a match-up between an Italian team & a USA team & then a fleet race involving all 11 teams. Naturally, the Oracle-sponsored USA team dominated both races. Live commentary is broadcast to the crowd, & we were urged to cheer for the Americans.
There's a viewing stand with paid seating, but otherwise the event is entirely free.
A large video screen offered close-up views of the race, including views from cameras on the boats.
The "AC Village" set up on the Marina Green has concessions & some child-friendly activities. There's a beer garden as well as this Moët & Chandon tent.
Thursday was the event's Youth Day, & a fleet of small sailboats manned by junior sailors circled like sharks just off the Marina Green. The crowd witnessed 2 incidents of capsizing & applauded when the boats were righted. Races continue through Sunday.
§ Americas Cup World Series 2012
August 21 - 26
Marina Green
Lovely account and pics, but is it really more exciting than watching paint dry, or less? That's what I want to know.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anything about sailing, so when I'm there I'm just watching very fancy boats go back and forth with sailors hanging off the hulls. For people into sailing, I would assume that the race's proximity to the shore is exciting, though.
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