eComYachting

San Francisco’s plan, to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval within weeks for America’s Cup

Robert — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 15:11:46 +0000

San Francisco‘s conjoined piers at the foot of Bryant Street are essentially a concrete slab on crumbling pilings fit for little more than a parking lot.

But if city officials are successful in their plan to host the next America’s Cup, the drab Piers 30-32 would be transformed into a striking bayfront amphitheater and sailing showplace – a focal point of a revived waterfront stretching from the Bay Bridge to south of AT&T Park – all without tapping taxpayer funds.

Under a proposal that Mayor Gavin Newsom‘s administration recently presented to race organizers, the city would provide free land and future development rights on the property in exchange for the America’s Cup event authority paying $100 million to $150 million to shore up the piers, dredge the area around them, and install new breakwaters and utility lines.

The Port of San Francisco would retain ownership of the property. Future development would be under a long-term lease and still require governmental approvals. Structures to house team headquarters, a public amphitheater and new mega-yacht slips would be temporary and paid for by race organizers.

If the pitch works, it will restore two areas of the waterfront – Piers 30-32 and Pier 50 just south of the ballpark – that will otherwise sit underused for years because of the cost of stabilizing their seismically unsafe pilings, said Michael Cohen, head of the city’s economic development office.

The cup would also infuse an estimated $1.4 billion into the Bay Area‘s economy – the vast majority of it in San Francisco – an economic prize surpassed in sports only by the Olympics and soccer’s World Cup, a recent study found.

Race organizers could recoup their investment developing the site in the future if the regatta moves to another locale. In the interim, they would have the benefit of showcasing sailing’s most prestigious event against the backdrop of San Francisco Bay and the opportunity to create sailing fans in the largely untapped U.S. market, city officials said.

“The stars are aligned at this moment to capitalize on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Kyri McClellan, the mayor’s project manager on the cup bid. “It would turn a broken asset into a showcase for the world – a showcase not just of San Francisco, but of the competitive sport of sailing.”

The competition

But San Francisco is vying with Valencia, Spain, and an undisclosed location in Italy to host the contest for the oldest active trophy in international sports.

Valencia, which hosted the last two cups, already has the infrastructure in place and is offering a “generous financial bid,” according to a recent memo from Newsom’s office. A group in Rome is rumored to have offered about $645 million to host the cup at an undisclosed Italian port, the memo said.

Software billionaire Larry Ellison‘s BMW Oracle Racing team, sponsored by San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club, captured the cup in February off the coast of Valencia and now gets to decide the location, timing and type of boats for the next regatta.

Ellison’s team, which is creating an event management arm to handle the commercial side, has given prospective host cities until the end of the month to submit proposals. A decision is expected by the end of the year, with the next cup to be held in 2013 or 2014.

A team official did not respond to an e-mail and phone call seeking comment on the proposal San Francisco officials pitched during a City Hall meeting Thursday afternoon involving Newsom, Ellison and others.

San Francisco’s pitch

San Francisco’s plan, to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval within weeks, attempts to make the 34th America’s Cup the most environmentally friendly on record and has the support of the local chapter of the Sierra Club, Save the Bay and other environmental groups.

A series of cup sites stretching along the waterfront from Pier 28 to Pier 50 would be a 24-minute walk or five-minute Muni ride end to end, according to a copy of the report presented to Ellison’s team and obtained by The Chronicle. Some existing buildings would be reused, and recycled materials would be used to repair piers.

The centerpiece would be the “sailing village’s” public hub at Piers 30-32, where concessions, a club and an amphitheater with a jumbo monitor would be erected under a tensile net structure evocative of a sail that would allow diffuse light through but provide shelter from rain, wind and direct sun.

The “mast” for the canopy would be made of laminated recycled wood, and the canopy itself could be used to collect rainwater or generate solar power through added photovoltaic cells.

“The whole idea is to make a structure that represents the green ambitions of the America’s Cup,” said Craig Hartman, the Skidmore, Owings & Merrill architect who designed the international terminal at San Francisco International Airport and the proposed public regatta center.

Temporary boat slips and “hospitality bases” would line the sides of Piers 30-32, allowing the teams to interact with the public and media before heading out to race between the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate.

Chance to ‘revitalize’

Under the proposal, the roughly dozen teams expected to compete would be based at Pier 50. Event offices would be next door on Pier 48. A television crew compound would sit on seawall lot 337 at the base of the two piers. A media center would be at Pier 28. Children’s activities and other entertainment are planned for seawall lot 330 – the parking lot directly across the Embarcadero from Piers 30-32.

Qualifying events all over the world are envisioned over the next several years. The number of races to be held at the cup’s host city is still under negotiation, but historically host cities hold perhaps a month of racing in each of the years leading up to the America’s Cup and between three and four months of racing in the final year.

San Francisco officials say they can get their facilities ready by the end of 2012.

“We’re very excited and hopeful,” said Jamie Whitaker, president of the nearby Rincon Hill Neighborhood Association. “The piers are falling into the bay, and the South of Market waterfront neighbors see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get their piers fixed.”

Benefits trump drawbacks

Whitaker shrugged at the notion of increased traffic or pedestrians.

“Our businesses certainly need it,” he said. “I’ve heard nothing but excitement and positive hopes that we host it.”

Norman Pearce, a former commodore of the South Beach Yacht Club, which lies right in the middle of the proposed America’s Cup facilities, said bringing the regatta here would reconnect San Franciscans with the city’s maritime roots.

“It revitalizes the spirit of San Francisco and its population by giving people a reason to return to the waterfront,” Pearce said.

San Francisco’s plan for hosting America’s Cup (sfgate.com)
Gavin Newsom and Larry Ellison talk America’s Cup bid (sfgate.com)
Green groups backing city’s America’s Cup bid (sfgate.com)

Mathieu Richard (FRA) with crew members Greg Evrard, Olivier Herledant and Yannick Simon became “King of the Mountain” for a year

Robert — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:34:09 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Reigning Champion
Mathieu Richard (FRA) with crew members Greg Evrard, Olivier Herledant and Yannick Simon became “King of the Mountain” for a year when he defeated Ian Wiliams 2-1 in a tricky final. This is the second time Richard wins St Moritz Match Race.

Past Champions
2005 — Ed Baird (USA)
2006 — Paolo Cian (ITA/Team Shosholoza)
2007 — Ian Williams (GBR/Team Pindar)
2008 — Mathieu Richard (FRA/K-Spirit)
2009 — Adam Minoprio (NZL/ETNZ/BlackMatch Racing)

Summary
St. Moritz hosts the ‘King of the Mountains’ event and is synonymous with glamour and style. St. Moritz in the Canton of Grisons is one of the best-known holiday resorts in the world. Chic, elegant and exclusive, with an extremely cosmopolitan air, the resort is located at an altitude of 1856 metres above sea level and surrounded by the beautiful lake landscape of the Upper Engadine

The event is raced on Lake St. Moritz, in the Engadin region of the southeastern Swiss Alps. The lake is at an elevation of 5,624 feet (1,856 meters) above sea level, making it possibly the highest-elevated match race regatta in the world. The lake is surrounded by peaks surpassing 10,000 feet.

The event is unique to the World Tour for more than just its location. Most of the boats used on the tour are 35- to 40-foot keelboats. St. Moritz features a newly designed four person keelboat called the Blu26. It’s a highly manouvreable boat with a big rig, which makes it quite a handful for the crews when the Maloya wind blows.

Ainslie and Williams dominate in St. Moritz (independent.co.uk)

Another beautiful New England anchorage

Robert — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 01:27:39 +0000

Another beautiful New England anchorage, this one in Manchester-by-the-sea, MA. Steve Gilbert took this photo while relaxing after an enjoyable sail on an Alerion 38 owned by Craig Speck.

Cartagena, excellent again

Robert — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:26:11 +0000


	Cartagena, excellent again


	The enthusiasm and passion shown by the City hosts and visitors for the Audi MedCup Circuit was very evident again when the world’s leading regatta circuit returned to Cartagena for the third successive year for the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy.

	Whilst on the varied and interesting race tracks the patterns of wind and current dealt some more unusual challenges for the 11 TP52 crews and five GP42 teams ashore, around the extensive Audi MedCup Public Village there was an equally diverse spread of entertainment, from custom motor-bike displays and heavy rock bands to traditional Roman and Carthagenian festivals and parades. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) emerged back on to the winner’s step of the TP52 Series podium winning the Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy for the second year in a row, winning on the same waters that they last year clinched their overall 2009 Audi MedCup TP52 Series title. The Kiwi TP52 champions left Murcia having extended their overall Circuit by 18 points lead to 46.5 points. The only blot on their copybook was a subsequent disqualification from Race 9 after a protest hearing. Early regatta leaders were Alberto Roemmers’ (ARG) Matador (ARG) who sailed consistently well to take second overall and move up to third on the season standings, albeit only one point ahead of TeamOrigin (GBR). With excellent starting and good speed in the light to moderate winds the British team seemed to have found a potentially regatta winning gear and they lead through the middle of the regatta. But in the bouncy seas and bigger winds of the Coastal Race they, again, struggled for speed and near the end broke their forestay to finish 11th. Then on the final day they started early in the final race to finish with a weighty ninth, still finishing third, their first ever podium on the Circuit. Losing one day due to very light winds meant the GP42 Series was shortened to three race days, but on each of those the racing was never closer in this small but intense class: every team took their turn leading races and/or the standings in the event. This included newcomers rising to the top for the first time, like John Bassadone (GBR) and his team on Peninsula Petroleum (GBR), and Roberto Monti (ITA) and his AIRISESSENTIAL (ITA). In the end, however, it was Madrid-Caser Seguros (ESP) who broke free by only two points to win their second stage in the Series, and extend their lead over Islas Canarias Puerto Calero (ESP) in the overall standings. But no lead is safe, so the finale in Cagliari will be exciting indeed.

Ben Ainslie’s Team Origin top Audi MedCup leaderboard (telegraph.co.uk)
Team Origin remain on top in Audi MedCup (independent.co.uk)

Victoria Classic Boat Festival is on now in the Inner Harbour

Robert — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:45:59 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Saturday, September 05, 2009

0900 hrs – 1800 hrs
Registration / Welcoming Office opens

1000 hrs – 1200 hrs Classic Rowing Regatta
The boats will launch from the Gorge Rowing and Paddling Club starting the race just before the Gorge Narrows and finishing at the Undersea Gardens. Learn More

14:00 hrs onwards
Steam Boat Parade — Inner Harbour / Gorge Waterway

Sunday, September 06, 2009

0900 hrs Sharp! Race and Sailpast -Skippers’ Meeting
Inner Harbour Causeway below Milestones Restaurant

1045 hrs: Sailpast castoff!
Power boats first as soon as MV COHO has left

1100 hrs
Sailpast

1300 hrs – 1600 hrs
Annual Schooner Cup and Classic Open Sail races

1800 hrs
The Festival Awards Banquet to be announced

WinRAR is a powerful compression tool with many integrated additional functions

Robert — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:18:03 +0000

Educational institutions receive a discount on WinRAR at eComTechnology.

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Educational institutions receive a discount on WinRAR compression at eComTechnology. (robbiz1978.blogspot.com)

Nominations for the 2010 Australian Yachting Awards have closed

Robert — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:44:44 +0000

: Image by Christopher Chan via Flickr

Nominations for the 2010 Australian Yachting Awards have closed with a record number of nominations received and the winners will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Sydney on 15 October.

Yachting Australia received 75 nominations from across the country for the eight award categories in the 2010 awards. Each nomination recognises outstanding achievements by Australians in the sport of sailing during the period 1 August 2009 to 15 August 2010.

The 2010 Australian Yachting Awards will be held at the new Deckhouse venue in Sydney on Friday 15 October. The Deckhouse opened on July 1, 2010, and is located on the foreshore of Woolwich Dock, featuring spectacular harbour views and a relaxed atmosphere which will provide an ideal backdrop for the Award Dinner.

The 2010 Yachting Awards categories are as follows:
- Male Sailor of the Year
- Female Sailor of the Year
- Sailor of the Year with a Disability
- Youth Sailor of the Year
- Sport Promotion Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
- Sport Professional

Mayor Gavin Newsom met today with Larry Ellison on the city’s proposal to host the next America’s Cup

Robert — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:41:15 +0000

Mayor Gavin Newsom and members of his economic development team met today with software billionaire Larry Ellison to get feedback on the city’s proposal to host the next America’s Cup, sailing’s premier event.

Larry Ellison gave Mayor Gavin Newsom a taste of the America’s Cup after his team won the regatta in February.

Officials were tight-lipped on the discussions at City Hall as San Francisco vies with offers from Spain and Italy to host a sporting event with an economic payoff exceeded only by the Olympics and soccer’s World Cup, according to a recent study.

“It’s an important … big-presentation meeting,” Newsom said beforehand. “We’re putting together all the details.”

Ellison’s BMW Oracle Racing team, sponsored by San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club, captured the cup in February off the coast of Valencia, Spain, and now gets to decide the location, timing and rules for the next regatta.

San Francisco is to make its formal bid by the end of the month, with a decision expected by year’s end. BMW Oracle Racing officials plan to hold the next cup in 2013 or 2014.

Gavin Newsom and Larry Ellison talk America’s Cup bid (sfgate.com)

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Robert — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:54:11 +0000

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Lusail City expected to hold more than 1,500 berths across the development

Robert — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 18:15:59 +0000

: Image via Wikipedia

Mourjan Marinas IGY, the company which provides innovative development and management solutions for marina lifestyle destinations in the Middle East, would design, construct and operate all marinas in the Lusail City.

Spreading over 35 square kilometres, the meticulously planned city is one of the
most exciting projects in the region and will eventually become home to
approximately 200,000 people. The development is destined to become a
thriving maritime hub, with a number of marinas serving different segments of
the industry, including private, business, and community marinas, Mourjan said
yesterday while informing about

the decision.
Dubai-based Mourjan Marinas IGY has been awarded a contract by Lusail Real
Estate Development Company the master developer for Lusail City, to take over every aspect of the maritime work, from marina master planning and design, to building, owning and managing the full marina portfolio, expected to hold more than 1,500 berths across the development. Mourjan Marinas IGY will drive Lusail’s waterway strategy and management, and the phased development of the
marina districts is expected to stretch over the next five years.

The first phase of the marina development, estimated to be operational in January 2011, will include
significant upland development such as waterfront dining outlets and a host of retail establishments.

Michael Horrigan, CEO of Mourjan Marinas IGY, believes the exclusive amenities of the Lusail marinas
will set a benchmark for Gulf marinas with their quality of service, dock furnishings and fittings.

“We are proud to play such an integral role in the visionary development of Lusail City. This
development is setting new standards in master planning communities and reflects Qatar’s unfailing
commitment to world class quality standards. There is perfect synergy between Lusail City’s priority for
the integration of the communities with the development and encouragement of yachting in Qatar
together with our vision for high quality, well-designed and efficiently-managed marinas.”

Lusail Real Estate Development Company said: “We are delighted to have on board with us one of the
world’s best marina developers. For Lusail city, we will bring nothing but the best quality and
professionals together to provide Qatar with world class services and amenities We are confident that
our cooperation with Mourjan Marinas IGY, will guarantee success and sustainability alongwith healthy
progress which Lusail City is witnessing daily”.

With diversity of the multiple businesses and residential communities working and living in Lusail City,
the marinas will be developed to appeal to the people who are keen and interested in yachting.

The marinas will cater to both megayacht owners as well as smaller and recreational boat owners,
providing all related facilities and amenities.

The new marinas will introduce a yachting lifestyle to the local Qatari community as well as attract
regional and international yacht owners to visit and enjoy this exciting development.

Dubai Marina: Living Amongst the Rich (hotelclub.com)
Qatar Kicks Companies Out of Neighborhoods as Office Glut Grows (businessweek.com)

eComYachting

San Francisco’s plan, to be presented to the Board of Supervisors for approval within weeks for America’s Cup

San Francisco‘s conjoined piers at the foot of Bryant Street are essentially a concrete slab on crumbling pilings fit for little more than a parking lot.

The competition

San Francisco’s pitch

Chance to ‘revitalize’

Benefits trump drawbacks

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Mathieu Richard (FRA) with crew members Greg Evrard, Olivier Herledant and Yannick Simon became “King of the Mountain” for a year

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Another beautiful New England anchorage

Cartagena, excellent again

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Victoria Classic Boat Festival is on now in the Inner Harbour

WinRAR is a powerful compression tool with many integrated additional functions

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Nominations for the 2010 Australian Yachting Awards have closed

Mayor Gavin Newsom met today with Larry Ellison on the city’s proposal to host the next America’s Cup

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Express Inclusion for Internet Search Optimization in 48 hrs. at eComTechnology

Lusail City expected to hold more than 1,500 berths across the development

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