Can’t make it to Newport or San Francisco this year for the AC World Series? Not to worry, you won’t have to hover over your computer watching a webcast. You’ll be able to watch the final day of racing on NBC. While it might not be as great as seeing the action in person, we always like to see the sport getting more exposure to the masses on a national level.
In just four months time, the America’s Cup will be back on national television in the United States after a 20-year hiatus. On July 1, the final day of the AC World Series Newport will be broadcast live on NBC, coast to coast, featuring the winner-take-all race that not only determines the event champion but also the outright overall winner of the inaugural six-event America’s Cup World Series.
Currently after three events, Emirates Team New Zealand skippered by Dean Barker sits on top of the leaderboard with 55 points, while the American team on ORACLE Racing Spithill (helmed by Jimmy Spithill) is nipping at their heels with 54 points and skipper Terry Hutchinson and his Artemis Racing of Sweden lies third with 40 points.
With opportunities to rack up points through further AC World Series stops in Naples (April 7-15) and Venice (May 12-20) before getting to the series closer in Newport (June 23 – July 1), there is certain to be stiff competition in the back half of this first AC World Series season.
Following the conclusion of the first AC World Series in Newport, at least two further Cup events are planned in 2012 in the United States.
First, in August, a new season of the AC World Series opens in San Francisco or New York, with the venue announcement coming shortly. The final day of racing will be broadcast live on NBC on August 26.
Then, in October, the focus of the Cup world will be on San Francisco and the “Bay Arena.” With the race course positioned between Alcatraz and the San Francisco Cityfront, shoreside viewers will have a front row seat for what is sure to be the fastest and most exhilarating racing the Bay has ever seen. And here too, television viewers will be able to tune in live on NBC to the final day of racing.
“As we build to our pinnacle events in 2013, we are thrilled to have live coverage of all three of our American stops on NBC this year,” said Richard Worth, Chairman and CEO, ACEA. “We are focused on creating a broadcast product that will excite current fans and draw in new ones, and working with a broadcaster like NBC will help us to fulfill that vision in the United States.”
Courtesy of www.americascup.com.