America’s Cup: World Series Challenge

Although the main America’s Cup races don’t come until September 2013, the America’s Cup World Series, (ACWS) which is like a pre-season race, takes place in August 2012 with 45-foot catamarans racing just off Marina Green.

At the America’s Cup Village (August 21-26) on Marina Green, watch daily stage presentations include the America’s Cup Morning Show (10:00 am), a dock-out show (1:00 pm), live commentary during racing and a dock-in show (4:00 pm).

The ACWS San Francisco Race Village is open daily 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, except on Saturday, Aug. 25, when it is open until 8:00 pm. A free concert featuring Dr. Dog begins at 5:00 pm Saturday and concludes at 8:00 pm.

>> Where can I watch the races? There’s prime viewing from bleachers set up along the sea wall and near the St. Francis yacht club. Both sets of bleachers will be open to the public free of charge during Tuesday’s practice racing, but will be ticketed seating during race days. You can view the races for free anywhere else along the Marina or Crissy Field, or from Angel Island, though the views probably won’t be as good as the bleachers

Photo Credit: R. Roßkopf 

Official America’s Cup Village
August 21-26, 2012 (10a-6p) | Marina Green
Races: Thu-Sat (2-4p); Sun (11:45a-2p)
FREE Admission

All race fans in the official America’s Cup Village can enjoy the racing via the big screen, including a dock-out show in the morning, live race commentary, as well as a dock-in show including interviews with the skippers, plus sailing simulation activities (like a “net traverse” which simulates the action of working crews on a catamaran)

Tuesday 21 August – Meet the America’s Cup Skippers
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    “The America’s Cup Morning Show”
12:00    “The America’s Cup Dock-out Show”
13:00    >> Practice Racing (13:00-16:00) with live commentary – Bleachers are free and open to the public
16:30    Meet the Skippers- opening event. Official welcome.
18:00    AC Village closes

Wednesday 22 August – America’s Cup Trophy 161st anniversary
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    The America’s Cup Morning Show – History of the Cup
12:00    The America’s Cup Dock-out Show
14:00    >> Racing (until approximately 16:00) with live commentary – Bleachers are ticketed, but free viewing from Marina
16:00    Dock in Show (after racing)
18:00    AC Village closes

Thursday 23 August – Youth Day
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    The America’s Cup Morning Show – Focus on Youth / Junior sailing
13:00    The America’s Cup Dock-out Show
14:00    Live commentary during racing (also shown on big screen)
14:00    >> Racing (until approximately 16:00)
16:00    Dock in Show (after racing)
18:00    AC Village closes

Friday 24 August – Healthy Oceans Day
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    The America’s Cup Morning Show – Focus Healthy Ocean Project
13:00    The America’s Cup Dock-out Show
14:00    Live commentary during racing (also shown on big screen)
14:00    >> Racing (until approximately 16:00)
16:00    Dock in Show (after racing)
18:00    AC Village closes

Saturday 25 August – SF Giants Day
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    The America’s Cup Morning Show – Guest from ORACLE TEAM USA
13:00    The America’s Cup Dock-out Show
14:00    Live commentary during racing (also shown on big screen)
14:00    >> Racing (until approximately 16:00)
16:00    Post racing Dock in Show
17:00    >> FREE  Concert with Dr. Dog
20:00    AC Village closes

Sunday 26 August – Super Sunday
10:00    America’s Cup Village opens
11:00    The America’s Cup Dock-out Show
11:45    Live commentary during racing (also shown on big screen)
11:45    >> Racing (until approximately 14:00)
14:30    AC World Series San Francisco Prizegiving  (after racing)
18:00    AC Village closes

Got some extra cash? For a fee you can get reserved seating. There’ll also be food vendors, as well as a beer and wine garden.

America’s Cup 2012-3 Schedule

• August 21-26, 2012 – America’s Cup World Series – 45-Foot Catamarans
• October 2-7, 2012 – Fleet Week America’s Cup World Series – 45-Foot Catamarans
• July 4-Sept 1, 2013 – Louis Vuitton Cup – qualifier for finals – 72-foot catamarans
• Sept 7-22, 2013 – America’s Cup Finals – 72-Foot Catamarans

Angel Island AC World Series Viewing
August 21-26, 2012 | Angel Island
FREE Admission, but you’ll need a boat or ferry ticket to get the to island.

If you want to enjoy the competition with less chatter, Angel Island is also a prime place for viewing the race away from all of the hubbub and hoopla. Just remember that you have to take a ferry to get there and that a park fee may apply.