America’s Cup Cargo Ship Arrives at Port of San Diego

Friday, 28 October 2011

With the arrival this week of 100 shipping containers and sleek race boats, the spectacle that is America's Cup World Series competition has officially cruised into San Diego Bay.

The containers were off-loaded from the ship HR Constitution on Thursday, October 27, at the Port of San Diego's Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal after a month-long journey from Plymouth, England.

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The America's Cup – a high performance, high-speed international sailing regatta – will take place from November 12 through November 20, 2011 in San Diego Bay. The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, at 1000 N. Harbor Drive (map), will serve as the headquarters for the event.

San Diego is the first U.S. port to host this next-generation of ultra-fast, high-energy America's Cup-level racing.

The HR Constitution cargo ship came into port with all the elements needed for the event.

"We're basically a self-sufficient moving event," said America's Cup Shipping and Logistics Manager Stuart Gentry. "We have all our own generators, tents, workshop facilities to repair the motors, powerboats and yachts, as well as all the administration."

Longshore workers will offload the containers which will then be transported by truck to Broadway and Navy Piers on North Harbor Drive, the home to the America's Cup Village.

The Village will be constructed, starting Saturday, Oct. 28. It will be housed on North Harbor Drive, between Navy Pier and Broadway Pier, and will feature food, a beer and wine garden, merchandise shops, bands, opportunities to view the races live, and many other activities for all ages.

The America's Cup Village will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12 through Tuesday, Nov. 15 and from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16 through Sunday, Nov. 20.

"The operations at Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal are great example of how a diversified waterfront benefits the region," said Port of San Diego Maritime Operations Director Joel Valenzuela. "Not only are we an economic engine for the region, but we are also able to provide both a racing venue to customers like America's Cup as well as a gateway for their equipment."

The sailing regatta can be viewed from the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, located at 1000 North Harbor Drive, the USS Midway Museum, and from many other vantage points along the North Embarcadero of San Diego Bay. Viewing is also possible from Harbor Island.

For a complete San Diego event schedule, including racing and entertainment, and viewing areas visit www.AmericasCup.com.

In order to avoid any traffic issues related to the event, be sure to reading our parking, traffic and detour information.

The Port of San Diego was created by state legislature in 1962 and is responsible for $1.7 billion in public improvements in its five member cities: Imperial Beach, San Diego, Coronado, Chula Vista and National City.

The Port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 17 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of more than 600 tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.