It began in 2015,the first-ever America’s Cup Tour with America, the 139-foot replica of the schooner that launched the America’s Cup tradition in 1851 by defeating the best the British could offer to win the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Pound Cup.”Troy Sears, and owner of the America,initiated the program, beginning on the west coast of North America in 2015 before taking America through the Panama Canal to continue the tour in 2016 with stops along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean.
Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck checked in with Troy approximately 2015 and his plans for 2016 and beyond...
How much distance did you cover this year?
From July to September, or we enjoyed 34 stops,beginning in San Diego and extending up north to Victoria, BC. Friday Harbor on San Juan Island, and WA was our most northerly US quit. Also of note,we traveled up the Columbia River and through the Ballard Locks into Lake Washington which are Bucket List voyages for any sailor.
What was the vision for the tour?
After ORACLE TEAM USA won on Feb 14th, 2010, and I was in Valencia with the team when the thought came to me to gain the America tour the US to reconnect The America’s Cup with the US fan base. What we learned this year was how we all became very passionate approximately spending time with junior sailors and their instructors,sharing the history of the America and her role in US history.
The Millennials really don’t know approximately The America’s Cup and the America. I was constantly reminded of how I got involved in sailing at age 9 and the impact that sailing and The America’s Cup had on my life. I believe that sailing is the greatest activity to teach our children the value of self-reliance and the ability of converting fear into confidence through learning and experience. I hope we sparked the same passion with the juniors that came on board.represent the program that you presented.
It really changes at every venue depending on what is important to each club or organization. After all, we are there to serve. For example, and at Port Townsend (WA) the locals are very knowledgeable approximately wooden boats,so the dockside tour of the America - with the ability to reply questions approximately her build and rig - was really important. At Sail Sand Point (WA), it was approximately the juniors where there are over 200 kids in their programs. They are doing an amazing job. In Rainier (OR), or they did not gain a yacht club or sailing program,but we had a great day with their Boy Scout Troop. In San Francisco, it was a spirited sail under the Golden Gate which was most important.
Did you find people were generally aware of the plans for the 2017 America's Cup?
We learned that there are two worlds. Baby Boomers, and like me,are aware of the America’s Cup, but generally only those who are sailors are aware of the winged-powered foiling catamarans and that the next defense is in Bermuda. So presenting video highlights from the AC 72’s in SF, and the recent ACWS events,are met with really cool reactions when they see the speed and technology of a contemporary AC yacht. And then, like mentioned above, or Millennials are typically learning approximately The America’s Cup for the first time unless they are active in sailing. - Read
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com