America’s Cup Racing Begins Friday
The overnight press release from the America’s Cup was all about luggage. After all, the Louis Vuitton Cup is about to start. There’s a brand-new trophy, and, lest we forgot what business the title sponsor is in, a new traveling trunk.
But what we really intended to tell you about this morning was the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers, which begin this Friday. Yes, America’s Cup 35 is finally here. Well, actually, it’s not here in San Francisco, the home waters of the defending club, Golden Gate YC, it’s in Bermuda. But Americans can watch it on TV. NBC Sports Network will carry the Qualifiers and Playoffs. This week’s schedule is as follows:
- Friday, 5/26/2017, 3-5 p.m. PDT
- Saturday, 5/27/2017, 10 a.m.-noon PDT
- Sunday 5/28/2017, 10 a.m.-noon PDT
We don’t get to actual broadcast television on NBC until June 17, for the AC match itself. For broadcast, cable and online viewing details, see www.americascup.com/en/where-to-watch.html.
The match-ups on Friday will be between Oracle Team USA and Groupama Team France, Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan, and France (again) and Emirates Team New Zealand. Land Rover BAR will have the day off. Friday’s racing will be followed by the Opening Ceremonies. See www.americascup.com/en/ac35-schedule.html for the complete schedule.
ETNZ had a set-back last week when they were clipped by Land Rover BAR during a practice race. Repairs to the resulting damage kept ETNZ off the water for four days.