AC Update & Weekend Racing Preview

Following Team Australia’s recent withdrawal from the 35th America’s Cup as the Challenger of Record, it was announced today that four remaining challengers have pledged their support to the event, regardless of which venue is chosen. According to a joint statement released through Ben Ainslie Racing: "Teams Luna Rossa Challenge, Artemis Racing, BAR and Team France — jointly with the yacht clubs they represent — confirm their full support to the event, regardless from the host venue that will be selected."

In a welcome boost of support for organizers, the teams pledged to work together to make the event as successful as possible. The aim, according to today’s statement, is to "bring this event to the peak of the world’s professional sport in terms of media, show, public and the intense sporting competition which has always characterized the America’s Cup."

"The next America’s Cup is likely to be the most competitive, exciting and sustainable ever. We cannot wait to compete," says Iain Percy, Team Manager of Artemis Racing.

Meanwhile, here on San Francisco Bay, air temperatures are expected to be atypically warm. So, although there’s not a lot of racing scheduled, it should be a great time to just get out on the water to soak in some rays and escape the rat race.

Beginning today, and running through Sunday, Monterey Peninsula YC hosts the Santana 22 Nationals on Monterey Bay. 

On Saturday in the South Bay, Sequoia YC hosts the fourth race in the Single/Doublehanded series. At the Tiburon YC in Marin, Etchells and Knarrs are invited to participate in the Moseley Regatta. And across the Bay on the Cityfront, the St. Francis YC is running its Team Racing Championships, which should make for some exciting viewing along the waterfront.

If you happen to be up around Lake Tahoe, there are two racing events taking place. On Saturday, Tahoe YC hosts the Sunnyside Restaurant Regatta, and on Sunday Lake Tahoe Windjammers YC is hosting its doublehanded races.

And just in case you didn’t know, the Midnight Moonlight Maritime Marathon is returning to San Francisco YC on August 2 after a multi-year hiatus. This fun pursuit race goes from Pt. Stewart, on Angel Island, to the Carquinez Bridge — roughly 35 miles away — and returns to finish under moonlit conditions in Raccoon Strait. Sign up here, then get your family and friends together for this unique event.