Giles Martin-Raget 

The photos and reports coming out of Naples for the first day of racing at the America's Cup World Series are incredible! Wind estimated up to 25 knots, and a good, solid chop, made for some exciting action, including a pitch down the mine by Artemis Racing which severely damaged their wing. AC Organizers estimate the crowds at 50,000, a huge step above the paltry crowds seen at the ACWS in San Diego last November.

Artemis wasn't' the only team with damage, Bundy had a little trouble too, from his FB, "We didn't fair to well in the match race seedings today finishing 5th in the first race and not being able to compete in the second due to a big buckle in the hull that cracked from the hatch in the deck down the hull...Massive waves today and hard to keep the boat in the water. Our shore crew has a big night ahead of them to get us on the water again tomorrow. Lucky for us we have the best guys on the job." Hopefully the America's Cup Composite (ACC) team can get them sorted!

The America’s Cup World Series kicked-off off with an event called the Port Cities Challenge. Saturday, the first day of racing, saw fierce rain and hardly any wind, but the hardcore crowds, estimated around 21,000, endured. The ends of the piers and the surrounding shoreline were covered with colorfull umbrellas, and my informal poll of the spectators showed that they were into the racing.

The Port Cities Challenge was an interesting event, and was used as a way to politically involve the 5 cities that make up the Port of San Diego, with the America’s Cup World Series. ETNZ, who did not have an associated port city, was awarded a stainless steel model of an AC45 for their overall win by an amazing 7 points. Oracle Racing’s Spithill, sailing for Chula Vista, filled the second slot; followed by Artemis, who was sailing for National City.