The international teams compete with AC45s - high powered, smaller versions of the winged sail catamarans (AC72s) planned for next summer's Louis Vuitton Cup (Challenger Series) and America's Cup Finals.
TEAM PRADA LEAPS
Through my eyes, these boats are beautiful and wicked fast - technology and teamwork pushed to new limits.
The format and intensity of racing is designed to prepare teams for next year's competition and open the sport to a broader base of fans.
TEAM COMPOUND AT SUNSET
This is the second event in San Francisco for the America's Cup World Series.
In late August during the first competition of 2012, a generous friend provided me with access to the racing and the America's Cup team compound. Wonderful memories and gratitude linger.
MATCH RACING
The coordinated teamwork and stunning acceleration of these boats in heavy wind, the dramatic flow of color on the Bay, the powerful groans of carbon sails and hulls under stress, and the delicate balance of speed and tactics remain with me. Loved the experience.
Watching these races is unlike any sailing experience I have touched in the past.
You may know the long history of this event.
The America's Cup is the oldest international competition on the globe - first contested in 1851. The name is based on a famous schooner titled "America." The United States held the "Cup" from 1851 through 1983, the longest winning streak in sports.
Then, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland successfully entered the scene. Only four countries have ever held the "Cup."
Today, the racing is fierce and the cost to prepare a competitive entry is extreme. This is a playground for the rich and mighty. This week's "World Series" is part of a run-up to the 34th version of the event which takes place next summer.
Oracle Team USA, the defender of the Cup, and several other teams are projected to spend several hundred million dollars in an effort to retain (Oracle) or acquire (the Challengers) the title.
Ah, the love of sport ... the draw of competition ... and the power of ego.
ORACLE TEAM USA DRIVES TO THE LEAD
It's great theater.
If you get a chance to visit the racing this week, I encourage the venture.
A schedule is linked here: America's Cup Site
CREATING CONNECTIONS WITH RACE HELICOPTERS FOR TV GRAPHICS
If you see the newscasts and TV coverage of the AC races, you may note the incredible graphics. One of the innovations associated with this World Series is an entirely new tool named "LiveLine." Stan Honey, a world-renowned sailing professional and successful technology entrepreneur, developed a new system that uses helicopters, monitors on the boats and in the Bay, and intense GPS tracking to produce graphics and live information for a worldwide TV audience, the race directors, and the officiating team. These capabilities help transform the event and the TV viewing experience. Stan is the same "wizard" who brought the yellow first down line in TV coverage for NFL games and a range of other well-known TV graphics. Cool. 
A "FLEET RACE" START
There are two primary formats for this "AC World Series" racing ...
"Match Races" where one team races one other team throughout a course and "Fleet Races" where the entire field starts at once and races together for glory.
The fleet races hold special focus. At the start of these races, the event explodes. The potential for collisions, violations, and capsized boats is high. The rules are pushed, pulled, and tested. Protests and high speed games of "chicken" ensue. The first mark ("turn" for the non sailing crew) evolves into a high-speed "mosh pit." Laughter. Imagine rolling around a mark at thirty miles and hour with boats on all sides separated by inches.
FIRST MARK OF A FLEET RACE
Of course, post racing, boats may need repairs and attention.
Note the sailor on the winged sail in the image below - a bit of scale. These boats are tall and fast.
REPAIRS ON A ROPE
FIXING BUMPS AND BRUISES
The sails are incredible elements of design - giant lightweight wings filled with internal webbing, support, and controls.
SHINING THE WING
The current AC boats (AC45s) reach speeds of roughly 30 knots.
The future version of these high speed catamarans (AC 72s) are projected to reach speeds of over 40 knots. Very fast.
The forces on the wings and hulls are massive.
TEAM ORACLE IN MOTION
When these boats hit full speed, they glide over huge distances in a matter of seconds.
These high speeds are exciting and dynamic when all goes well. It's painful to watch, however, when millions of dollars of carbon collapse if one of these boats capsizes or enters a collision. This misfortune developed a number of times in races when the AC boats were here in August. Brutal.
When I close my eyes and remember the experience of watching this event, the boats appear like a dream.
I enjoyed working with a camera to explore visual memories and attempt to touch the feeling the races produce.
The images below touch a bit of the experience.
FLOWING WITH THE WIND
AROUND THE MARK
REACHING FOR SPEED
DOWNWIND
This week's race course is just north of the Marina. The racing can be viewed free of charge along the waterfront.
Best wishes,
Jeff
