For all their fuckups, we repeat what we’ve said for the better part of a year now; the best thing to come out of this America’s Cup is a new standard of live video coverage. Stan’s e-wizadry, millions spent on TV buys and helicams, and excellent commentary from Ken Read (and to a lesser extent) Nath Outteridge; these things overshadow all the missteps and bad decisions we’ve had from the AC’s media delivery program.
We encourage you to check it out on NBC here in the states or Youtube overseas – if you can’t get it, head to the ServusTV site for worldwide streaming in German; if you can’t stand the language you can hack your own system; one window with the video and another with the audio from the Cup site. You can also watch it on the go (if you live in the right area) with the NBC Sports app (IOS Android) or Youtube.
On The Ground
For the thousands of Anarchists on the ground in SF or for those of you looking for more info on the atmosphere of the place, head over to the On-Scene thread to find out where everyone’s going for drinks and much, much more. There are apparently tons of hotel vacancies for those of you looking for a last-minute trip, and from the thread, here’s local sailor ‘finnfart’ on where to watch the racing:
1) AC pier 27: Nice close viewing of the finish and not much else. Video for the rest. Can’t even see the boats for most of the race.
2) Up on the hill: In a very nice appt of a mates behind Ghirardelli/Fishermans wharf/pier 39: Too far back. You can make out what is going on, but barely. Lose the sense of how cool the machines are.
3) Boat on the bay: Worst option. Can barely see anything. Unless you have a fearless friend who will drive around and ‘elbow in’, you will see next to nothing as the bigger boats take the front and block your view.
4) Marina Green: Best IMO. You can walk around and see a screen if you want, but can go find a good view point, and make yourself a way to the shore where you can really see. Even here, you just get them as they pass the 3/4 mark up or down. Wildcard is not sure how many people will be there
5) Alcatraz: If you don’t already have tickets, you are probably screwed anyway. But it isn’t easy to get the city side view from there… and I would expect that the spectator fleet is going to block the view pretty well. Can’t say as I haven’t seen it with the crowd and the fleet, but not hopeful.
6) Best II) Crissy field north or SFYC. You get the start and the turning mark. I think that this place is likely to be the least packed, and offer the most interesting sailing views. No big screens or concessions, but that’s fine by me.
