AC World Series in San Diego

November 13, 2011

The AC45 World Series boats started racing in Saturday's rain and Sunday's sun in the Port Cities Challenge, the 'port cities' being the five municipalities that comprise the Unified Port of San Diego. It's been light winds so far (who'd have thought?) but the crowds are there and everyone is having a good time. The real racing starts on Wednesday, November 16, with live TV via the web. For all the info see www.americascup.com and watch the video action on www.youtube.com/americascup#p/l. Many thanks to photographer Mark Albertazzi for sending these images.

Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of Oracle Racing, stands under an umbrella like the rest of us. ©2011 Mark Albertazzi

Oracle Racing's Spithill flies an ama. ©2011 Mark Albertazzi

China Team. ©2011 Mark Albertazzi

In more AC34 news the bill to waive the Jones Act so the support boats can be used for the races in the USA has run into a roadblock in the form of a rider stuck on the original bill. Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania added the rider in order to exempt liquid natural gas ships from the Jones Act so a new LNG plant could be built. According to his website, "Granting these waivers will create significant new jobs in the Pennsylvania region. New construction jobs will also be needed in Washington and Westmoreland counties where a new pipeline will be built to connect to existing infrastructure." What's that got to do with international athletic competition in California and Rhode Island? So now the bill is in limbo as it goes back and forth while things get figured out. Or not.