Both The America’s Cup and the city of Chicago are making maritime history this weekend when the most prestigious event in sailing takes place starting today, and running until Sunday. Lake Michigan will become “a stadium” while Navy Pier will become “stands” or “seating” for the first-ever freshwater competition.
The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Chicago, a qualifying event for the 2017 America’s Cup in Bermuda, gets underway today with the boat launching this morning and practice races this afternoon.
Six teams will be competing, including ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, SoftBank Team Japan, Groupama Team France, Land Rover BAR (for Great Britain), and Artemis Racing (for Sweden).
Navy Pier will be the epicenter of the event, with entertainment for the whole family, live music and air shows. There will also be fireworks shows late nights. The start and finish line will be in the water right off of the Grand Ballroom & East End Plaza.
Some basic info Via our friends at Red Eye Chicago:
Who’s the favorite this weekend?
Probably Emirates Team New Zealand, which won the most recent World Cup event in May in New York and leads the standings heading into the Chicago races.
Don’t sleep on ORACLE TEAM USA, however, which has won the past two America’s Cups (2010 and 2013). An American team has won the Cup an astounding 29 times, including every race between 1851 and 1980.
Does it cost anything to watch the races?
Only if you want to observe from the Race Village, which is taking over the east end of Navy Pier. For adults, Friday admission is $19 and Saturday or Sunday admission is $35; there are weekend passes that cover all three days for $59. Tickets can be purchased here. The village includes concessions, big screens on which to follow the action and interactive exhibits, among other features.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/740971646861905920
Love what Red Eye said there about TEAM ORACLE USA and their INCESSANT USE OF CAPS LOCK!!!
They’re YELLING! “LOUD NOISES!” “I DON’T KNOW WHAT WE’RE YELLING ABOUT.
Yesterday, the America’s Cup World Series Chicago weekend got rolling with both Media Day and a youth event on Lake Michigan as young participants sailed Chicago-sports-themed boats.
Students from the America’s Cup Endeavor program sported man six catamarans decorated in the logos of the Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky and Fire. I snapped a photo, take a look:
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/741039086807482369
Today’s America’s Cup World Series Opening Press Conference revealed that Japan will host an ACWS event for the first time in its history, but the media session was of course rightfully focused on what will happen in the windy city this weekend. The sailors and teams articulated how ground-breaking it will be to have the races so much closer to land, and hence spectators now.
It will provide a tremendous boost, the opportunity to hear thousands of fans cheering in the sold out grandstands. #FirstOnFreshWater #TheWindyCityIsMadeForThis
The Sports Bank America’s Cup Coverage
-Riding Along on an America’s Cup Sailboat (Photos)
–How the Rich America’s Cup History Could Prelude Its Future
–Articulating the Catamaran Sailing Experience
–How Chicago ACWS Event Could Prelude a 2021 America’s Cup Bid
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram