17 September 2013
After quite a sleepless first night we asked for a room change. The bed is pretty much the same but it is so much quieter - yay!
And so ... to the America's Cup!
The first to win 9 races takes home the cup - the score is Emirates Team New Zealand = 7 - Oracle Team USA = 2 so far.
We met up with Judy and Andy at IHOP for breakie on our first morning before we drove down to Pier 27 (which has been decked out with merchandise shops, eateries, bars and other interesting displays for the AC) for the Dock-Out - a time to see the two crews and cheer them on.
Judy and Andy have been here for a while so they have worked out the best routines, vantage points, routes and added sneak peaks. Judy is classed as media as she is writing for Sailing Anarchy, Germany so she has a car park pass for a lot close to Pier 27 - total bonus.
Once the dock-out was finished we jumped back in the car, park at J and A's hotel for free parking and walked to the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) to watch the races and we met up with Stuart.
First race start coming up ... tick tick tick ... the nerves are building and so is the wind ... start delayed ... tick tick ... and again ... and again - racing cancelled - the windy coupled with the Ebb Tide is unsafe.
So we walk to Fisherman's Wharf and have a sundae before checking out the sea lions and shops at Pier 39.
Clam chowder for dinner - yummy!

18 September 2013
Had a GF breakie at the Beach Street Grill before meeting up with Judy and Andy at Pier 27 for today's Dock-Out.
Back to GGYC counting down for the first race of the day ... and they're off!
To see these yachts foiling is an incredible sight! The lead changed hands a couple of times and in less than 30 minutes the race is over with a win to ETNZ. Yay!
Second race, ETNZ need one more win to take home the cup ... start delayed ... tick tick ... and again ... and again - racing cancelled - too windy - unsafe.
Drove down to the ETNZ base to try and catch them taking the yacht out of the water but ... caught up in traffic! Got there as they were closing the doors - b*****!
Found the OTUSA base but it is all secret squirrel, we couldn't see anything even if we did get there at the right time.
Absolutely exhausted - a great day!

19 September 2013
Judy and Andy picked us up early so we could see ETNZ assemble and lower their yacht into the water - an incredible procedure!
Time for a coffee and a bite to eat before we head back to Pier 27 for the dock out then:
• GGYC
• ETNZ still need one win to take home the cup
• First race is a go!!! This time Oracle get a great start and lead the race to a victory.
• Second race, ETNZ still need one more win to take home the cup ... start delayed ... tick tick ... and again ... and again - it's a go, the race is on!!! No! Wait! Strike that! Racing cancelled at literately the last second - too windy - unsafe.
Took bus 30 to Union Square to check out this end of town before catching the cable car back to our accommodation for a much needed time out before dinner.
Took a walk down to the wharf area and saw Johnny Rocket - a 50's themed diner - really nice fresh food here - a nice way to end the day.

20 September 2013
Back to the Beach Street Grill for GF pancakes this morning - what a treat!
• Pier 27 to met Judy and Andy - you are starting to see a pattern here aren't you?
• GGYC
• ETNZ still need one win to take home the cup
• the weather today is very changeable - it really can't make up its mind
• First race is a go!!! ... but it is at snails pace - this race has a 40 minute time limit - ETNZ are way ahead but they are six minutes out from the finish line as the 40 minute timer ticks over - robbed again!! OK, so those ARE the rules - don't mean they are right though!
• Second race, ETNZ still need one more win to take home the cup, ETNZ get a great start but the wind is spasmodic and OTUSA take the lead - and keep it!!
I think most people are in disbelief!
Another Ground Hog Day for some tomorrow but we are heading to the airport, bound for LA.
Red Clam Chowder for dinner and one last walk around Pier 39.