On water spectator plans for America's Cup World Series Portsmouth

by Dan Wilkinson 30 Mar 2015 11:10 BST 23-26 July 2015

One of the most exciting sporting and sailing events – the America's Cup World Series Portsmouth - is going to hit the shores of Great Britain this coming July and there has been an unprecedented response to ticket registrations and sales for the four day spectacle. A world class and action packed race village is being created for Southsea Common with spectacular viewing opportunities across a range of fan packages. There are still tickets available in both the Waterfront Festival Arena (free to view, tickets available for Thursday and Friday) and Fanzone Arena (paid for tickets, available on all four days), as well as hospitality packages in the Waterfront Pavilion.

For on land tickets go to:

• www.ticketmaster.co.uk/acwsportmouth
• www.acwsportmouth.com
• www.acwsportsmouth.com/hospitality

Naturally, given the racing will take place in such a popular area as the Solent, plenty of keen fans have been asking if they will be able to watch the racing from the water. The simple answer is "Yes, this will be possible, although the best viewing areas will be from the main race village onshore on Southsea Common."

The area of water racing will take place in (see visual above), is amazingly close to shore but is within a commercial shipping channel and an area managed Queen's Harbour Master Portsmouth (QHM). An exclusion zone will be created around the race course to ensure perfect racing conditions are delivered to the world class sailing teams, but also to ensure the safety of both the racing teams and the spectators – the teams will race in AC45s, foiling catamarans capable of speeds of up to 40 mph!

Given the high speed of the racing catamarans, the arrangements for this event will be extensive, and are primarily focussed on ensuring the safety of competitors, other personnel involved in the racing, spectators and other water users.

The racing course will be dependent on the wind direction on each race day and will be refined and published closer to the event in the light of forecast winds. However, in order to illustrate arrangements the attached diagram sets out the plans for the most likely wind at this time of year, a moderate south-westerly.

The full LNTM can be found at:
QHM Portsmouth www.royalnavy.mod.uk/qhm/portsmouth/local-notices

The race course and racing buoys will be laid on each day of racing by the official authorities and the final layout of the course will depend on wind and weather conditions. The America's Cup race management team will form a protective exclusion zone around the racing area made up of official marshals and official event, sponsors and team boats. Only boats designated by race management will gain access to this area.

Separate recommended viewing zones for all other spectator boats has been designated by the Queen's Harbour Master. As you will see from the attached diagram in the LNTM, there will be two clear areas for spectator viewing on water – one for smaller boats less than 7m LOA and one main spectator channel.

The organisers of the America's Cup World Series Portsmouth still advise that one of the best views of the action will be from the main race village areas on Southsea Common where spectators will have a close-up view of the racing as well as the benefit of large screens, live coverage and commentary, onboard footage and audio and amazing graphics to add to their experience.

We have secured partnerships with three official charter boat Preferred Suppliers (Sunsail, Marine Events and Solent Rib Charters) who will operate within the close perimeter area as official event support boats so if you are looking to charter a boat/buy hospitality spaces we recommend you contact one of the following as they will be operating as official event support vessels.