Meeting Recap for August 5, 2013
Nearly 30 years after the idea was first proposed, the America’s Cup yacht races finally come to San Francisco Bay this week and members got a sneak preview at Monday’s RCOS luncheon.
Bob Billingham, chief operating officer for AmericaOne, was guest speaker at the Red Lion Woodlake Inn. AmericaOne is responsible for staging sailing’s most prestigious event. And for the first time in its history, the America’s Cup races will be staged where literally millions of people can watch in person—for free—thanks to many vantage points around the bay.
The idea of holding the race here first surfaced in the mid-1980s, when several contending boats selected the bay as their practice venue before heading off to Australia to race. (Among those boats was USA, skippered by the late Tom Blackaller. USA lost to Dennis Conner’s eventual cup winner Stars & Stripes 87 in the Luis Vuitton Cup semifinals in Perth.)
(Yours truly was managing corporate advertising for Pacific Telesis Group at the time and Telesis paid $1 million to sponsor USA—a lot of money in those days but a bargain by today’s standards.) Our hope was that USA would win it all, giving the new Telesis brand a lift and St. Francis Yacht Club the right to select San Francisco Bay as the site it would defend the Cup race next time around.
As Billingham pointed out during his remarks, holding the races in San Francisco Bay not only makes the events accessible for all sailing fans but also provides a more reliable sailing venue. “It’s like someone flips a switch,” he said. “Every afternoon the wind machine comes on, making it a much better racing environment than some of the more recent venues.”
Billingham, who was introduced by chair of the day and Past President Diane Mizell, outlined the course over which the boats will race at speeds approaching 45 knots (50 mph) at times: “The start will be off Marina Greens by the St. Francis Yacht Club. From there the boats will go east to a series of ‘gates’ just beyond Alcatraz. “Then they will reverse course and sail through gates out toward the Golden Gate Bridge, then turn back and finish at Pier 27.”
Racing starts Aug. 6 with Sweden taking on Italy in the Luis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series, a best-of-seven series that could last until the 15th. On the 17th, the winner of that series will take on New Zealand in the Luis Vuitton Cup Final; once again a best-of-seven series. Finally, on Sept. 7, the Vuitton Cup winner will take on Larry Ellison’s Oracle Team USA in the best-of-nine finals. And all the while, all kinds of entertainment events will be taking place on Piers 27 and 29 as well as at Marina Greens, where 5,000 bleacher seats are available for purchase each day.
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President Thom Gilbert previewed the America’s Cup venue last weekend from the San Francisco marina. He brought home with him a souvenir cap and shirt for the Oracle Team USA, which Past President Walter Dahl auctioned off for $200. JD Lauppe was the successful bidder.
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Joany Titherington of Oak Park Farmers Market was sworn in by President Thom as the newest RCOS member. She was introduced by Bill Knowlton who, along with Hal Shipley, is one of her sponsors. Joany shared with the membership that her uncle had been an active Rotarian and she looked forward to her involvement in Rotary.
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David Stewart of Drexel University was the meeting sponsor. He was joined at the head table by John Carvana, Drexel’s new manager of career services. He reviewed Drexel’s history and its community impact. He then committed to filling at least one (and likely more) of the ten new MBA student member slots established for the 2013-14 year and thanked Katrina Salazar for her efforts towards this new program.
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There were lots of hugs and a few tears shed Monday as Robyn DeLong attended for the first time since losing her son to a traffic accident two weeks ago. Robyn shared her sorrow, joy and thanks to her Rotary family for their support.
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Also in attendance Monday was Past President Scot Sorensen, who apparently traveled from Madison, Wisconsin just to be able to receive the door prize for the Rotarian visiting from the farthest distance. Other past presidents in attendance were: Walter Dahl, Tim Pinkney, Peter Dannenfelser II, Skip Lawrence, John Hamlyn, Frank Poelman, Brian Van Camp, Diane Mizell, Ernie Farrington, Jon Snyder, Wes Yee, Fred Teichert, & John Frisch.
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Dick Osen led the club in singing “My Country Tis of Three” and Jim Craig again provided a poetic final thought. Jack Cornelius sponsored the pre-meeting wine reception, during which Randy Friedman played the piano.
President Thom pointed out that during the month of August 32 members celebrate their birthdays. He therefore declared that November is an official “cuddle month”.
Foundation contributions under Roast, Boast & Toast were: Rick Davis – son’s return from Kuwait; Jeff vonKaenel – Eppies Great Race; and Lev Kaganovich, Judy Payne & Robyn DeLong – in memory of Resh Michael, Robyn’s son.
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There will be no meeting next Monday because of the annual Golf 4 Kids event at North Ridge Country Club. Golfers, sponsors, and donations are still needed. Contact Dick Osen or the Rotary office if you are interested.
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