ACWS Newport - Sunday, July 1, 2012
Newport, Rhode Island
Sunday was my ninth day in Newport. My morning routine was down to a science at this point: Starbucks, the ferry, a little time in the media center to catch up on emails and life outside the ACWS before the morning press conference with Iain Murray. Iain told us that Sunday would be the windiest day so far with the winds coming from the south. The ebb would also be strong, as it was the day before. To top it off, there was a rather large storm front they were keeping an eye on that potentially could hit mid to late afternoon.
Sunday was also National Television day. After a 20 year absence from network television, sailing was scheduled to be broadcast for two hours that afternoon on NBC (yes - via purchased airtime, but this was still a big deal.) The comment had been made that with this new America’s Cup Worlds Series (ACWS), sailing was now in the entertainment business. I had heard this sentiment spoken before during these events by various authorities within the AC, but this day was truly Super Sunday for Sailing.
For Sunday’s big show, there would be the match racing finals as well as the winner-take-all fleet race. Points from the entire 2011-2012 season would also be calculated to determine the season championship. I must say that with the return of sailing to US national television, it sure was convenient that the two US teams of ORACLE Team USA were the ones battling it out in the match race finals. It was a great contest between Spithill and Coutts and I was happy to see the old master Sir Russell win the start and the match over the young gun “Spitbull the Pit-bull.”
I was assigned to the same mark boat I had been on the day before for Sunday. It was the fleet race I was most excited to watch. I figured it was now or never to test out my core strength at balancing on the bow, so I put on a PFD (personal flotation device) and headed to that incredible vantage point on the pointy end of the mark boat. I wanted to know if the photo op was worth the higher risk of dropping my equipment, if not myself, into the water.
And it was absolutely worth it - every single moment!
Three roundings was all I got that day as there was just the one fleet race. I honestly have no idea who won as we headed in but at that moment I didn’t care because I had just had the best experience of my entire trip on the bow of that mark boat.
In a last minute change, the awards presentations were moved from the open stage at the fort to inside Club 45, which was the VIP tent for ACEA. The ACEA/ACRM did a great job with the sudden change of venue for the awards. The only issue for me was that there were match racing awards and fleet racing awards and overall event winners in third and second and first places, and there were medals and plates being handed out and then there were more match and fleet awards ... and I just got lost with who was winning for what and why. I had no idea what was going on and must admit just kept waiting for them to hand out that big globe looking trophy because then I would know the overall champion.

As the bottles of Moët & Chandon were being passed out, I had to warn her. “You might want to step back” I cautioned her. She gave me a look. I followed up with “Well, be prepared to get wet ... because you will.” She gave me one of those classic, condescending up-and-down looks and just shrugged at me, defiantly holding her iPhone just a little further out. OK - she had been warned.
As the last drops of champagne dripped from the various crews jackets, we all headed out of Club 45. The storm had come and gone as the awards had been presented. As the champagne had been raining down inside Club 45, the skies had opened up outside with a torrential downpour. We were all soaked no matter where we had been.
Then it was done.
I packed up my camera and computer, cleaned out my locker at the media center and turned in my keys before heading to the ferry for one last ride. Newport was another great adventure. From my perfect home at the top of the hill, to discovering so much of what Newport has to offer, to seeing the best sailors on the fastest boats ... it was a great event.
Next up is San Francisco from August 21- 26. Finally the show is coming to me!
More pictures can be found by clicking HERE
More pictures can be found by clicking HERE
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