Oracle RC44 Sailing Races Attract Thousands to San Diego Bayfront

Monday, 07 March 2011
Contact: Dale Frost (619) 686-6461

Thousands of spectators watched the five-day Oracle RC44 action-packed international sailing competition that unfolded close to shore, or "stadium style," on north San Diego Bay.

"It doesn't get better than this," said San Diegan Mark Albertazzi, who was at the end of the Broadway Pier photographing the 44-foot-long high performance boats as they sailed within feet of the pier.

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"I've got a birds-eye view," he said.

Viewers gathered at the end of the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier, on the bow of the USS Midway Museum and on the top decks of visiting cruise ships docked at the B Street Pier Cruise Ship Terminal to see the competition. There were 11 boats representing 9 countries in the event that was won by the Russian-based team Katusha.

The Oracle RC44 sailing competition was the first major community event headquartered at the Port's new cruise and event center, the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.

"I'm excited that the Port could provide the venue that allowed so many people to enjoy the waterfront," said Scott Peters, Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners.

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The free event drew a steady stream of sailing fans to the Broadway Pier, where they could watch the teams prepare the boats for racing, and return after a day on the water.

The start and finish lines were set right in front of the Broadway Pier, allowing spectators close viewing of the intense fleet race starts and at times, finishes.

The Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier was also home to the Event Village, where spectators could purchase food, drinks and regatta souvenirs.

Stationed at the end of the Broadway Pier, Olympic silver medalist and world class sailor Annie Nelson Gardener provided commentary on sailing maneuvers and tactics while the races were underway.

Katusha was led by legendary America's Cup sailor Paul Cayard, the crew's tactician.

"San Diego Bay is a perfect stadium for this type of race," said Cayard.

Cayard competed in the America's Cup races held here offshore of Point Loma in the 1990s, and resided in San Diego for more than a decade.

He recalled that during the America's Cup competitions, some of the best sailing conditions, and best sailing, occurred during the International America's Cup Class exhibition races that were held in San Diego Bay.

The RC44 boats are crewed by many America's Cup sailors.

A U.S. team, the Oracle Racing Team, with Oracle CEO and co-founder Larry Ellison at the helm, and current America's Cup winner Russell Coutts serving as tactician, came in at second place.

"We are happy with second place," said Coutts. "This regatta in San Diego was one of the best. It was a great venue, with variables on the race course and lots of people here."

"It's been fantastic," he said. "We are hoping to be back here again."

San Diego was the first stop for the 2011 RC44 Championship Tour, which continues on to Europe and finishes in the Canary Islands in November, 2011.

The event was run by Sailing Events Association of San Diego (SEA SD), a new organization that promotes major sailboat racing events in San Diego for the benefit of the local economy.

"The RC44 event was spectacular," said SEA SD Chairman Chuck Nichols. "It was exciting to see people come down to the waterfront to watch sailboat racing."

He said the photos published by the international media covering the event of the gorgeous boats sailing in the bay with the San Diego skyline in the background will serve as a boost to tourism.

"We hope this is the first of many more races to come," said Nichols.