Jordan Wright
June 1, 2013
Special to DC Metro Theater Arts, Broadway Stars, and localKicks
Welcome to the Olympics of the Sailing World
Last week the organizers of the 2013 America’s Cup – the gold standard of sailing and crème de la crème of international yacht racing – came to the Willard Intercontinental DC to showcase their plans for this summer’s premiere event and flew in Michelin-starred chef Daniel Corey. Wouldn’t you if you wanted to impress? Partnering with the timelessly elegant Intercontinental Mark Hopkins and its sister hotel the ultra-contemporary Intercontinental San Francisco, they’ve dubbed their mission “The Luce Cup Tour” after the hotel’s Luce Wine Restaurant where Corey is Chef de Cuisine. In the shadow of the White House we lunched on Corey’s distinctive cuisine and learned a good bit about an iconic race that began as a loop around Britain’s Isle of Wight back in 1851.
The Luce Cup Tour Luncheon at the Willard Intercontinental – photo credit Jordan Wright
Here’s the backstory. Exercising their right as the current cup holders the American team of BMW Oracle Racing opted to hold the event in San Francisco – only the seventh location to host the race in its 162 years. It will be held in the terrible, awful, no good, crazy tides and death-defying eddies of San Francisco Bay, a body of water akin to the Bermuda Triangle on a bad day. For the first time viewers can watch the multi-hull action from a beautiful shoreline that includes cities like Sausalito, Tiburon, Berkeley and naturally “The City By the Bay”. It promises to be an exciting spectacle filled with bravery, terror and camaraderie.
Daniel Corey’s Amuse Bouche – Pacific Amberjack marinated in yuzu with radishes and creme fraiche – Dark Chocolate and Olive Oil Cake with preserved kumquats – photo credit Jordan Wright
Did you know that nearly fifty preliminary races are held from July 4th through the end of September? I didn’t. Race aficionados from around the world will begin flocking to the city next month to witness the preliminary Louis Vuitton Cup races as well as the excitement of the finals. Capturing the “Auld Mug”, as the silver ewer-shaped trophy is familiarly known, from the Golden Gate Yacht Club will be any sailor’s game in these high stakes, high-tech, hyper-engineered catamaran races.
Here are some of the ways to view the race. Charter a private luxury yacht. There are over a dozen accredited on-water charters to choose from. Commodore Yachts names its six multi-level boats after wines. Rent the “Chardonnay” or “Cabernet” with your sailing pals for a celebration party or opt to watch from atop the Pier 39 Rooftop Lounge. The World War II SS Jeremiah O’Brien a living museum at Pier 45 and has tickets available for all races. The new America’s Cup Park and Pavilion is yet another absolutely spectacular site that will host concerts at night. There are family-friendly rates at the Race Course Bleachers and swank waterfront chalets adjacent to the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green for the seriously nautical minded.
Organizers have partnered with the San Francisco Giants and AT&T Park (the stadium itself is another amazing viewing venue), to handle ticket and event sales. If you choose to watch from the Liberty Ship, which comes with its own naval museum, prices start at $110.00 per ticket. But if entertaining in luxe style is how you see yourself and your peeps, rent out the Club 72 at the tip of the Park. It can accommodate 450 guests for a mere $30,000. Keep me on your speed dial if you decide to go for it!
For tickets and info on race events visit www.AmericasCup.com/experience.
For accommodations visit www.IntercontinentalMarkHopkins.com or www.IntercontinentalSanFrancisco.com
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