San Diego Unanimously Approves Bid Submission To Host 2017 America's Cup
SAN DIEGO (CBSLA.com/AP) — Port commissioners have voted unanimously to submit a bid to host the next America's Cup on San Diego Bay in August 2017.
The commissioners, two of whom are sailors, spoke enthusiastically Tuesday about the prospect of hosting sailing's marquee regatta. The commissioners directed the port's staff to respond to a request for information from America's Cup officials by March 3.
America's Cup officials are talking with other venues about hosting the 35th America's Cup because San Francisco officials haven't offered the same terms as they did for last summer's regatta, which ended with Oracle Team USA staging one of the greatest comebacks in sports.
San Diego hosted the America's Cup in 1988, 1992 and 1995, with racing on the Pacific Ocean off Point Loma.
After 2013's historic run for Oracle Team USA, however, the regatta is expected by some to bring higher television ratings, and the probability of an enormous economic boost in tourism.
The sport's top celebrities, including Gold medalist Jimmy Spithill, who announced his return to Oracle Team USA in the 2017 America's Cup, will be taking part in the regatta.
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