California SCR 124 Supporting the America's Cup Coming Soon

August 31, 2010

The resolution below was passed by the Senate unanimously on August 23, and passed by the Assembly unanimously on August 30:

Introduced by Senator Yee (Principal coauthor: Senator Leno)
(Coauthors: Assembly Members Ammiano and Ma)

Relative to 34th Defense Match for the America's Cup

Legislative Counsel's Digest:

SCR 124, as introduced, Yee.  34th the Defense Match for the America's Cup.   This measure would recognize that Californians would benefit from the immense, positive economic impact of hosting the 34th Defense of the America's Cup in San Francisco, California.  The measure would petition the BMW Oracle Racing Team representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club to designate San Francisco, California, to be the host of the 34th Defense of the America's Cup in 2013 or 2014.  The measure would urge the state to support San Francisco's bid to host the 34th Defense of America's Cup and to execute the formation of a single face of state government for securing state permits for the America's cup in San Francisco or other state documents.  Fiscal committee: no.

WHEREAS, The BMW Oracle Racing Team representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club of San Francisco, California, won an America's Cup Deed of Gift Match Regatta in Valencia, Spain, on February 14, 2010, and has returned the America's Cup Trophy to the United States; and   

WHEREAS, On August 22, 1851, the United States-built schooner America defeated a fleet of Britain's finest ships in a race around England's Isle of Wight.  The ornate silver trophy won by the America was donated to the New York Yacht Club on condition that the cup trophy would forever be placed in international competition.  Today, the America's Cup is the world's oldest continually contested sporting trophy and represents the pinnacle of international sailing yacht competition; and   

WHEREAS, The 159-year history of the America's Cup makes it the oldest and most distinguished prize in the world of sports.  The America's Cup is the Holy Grail of yacht racing.  This cup, in competition for a period of 159 years, is the oldest and most distinguished trophy in all sport, predating the World Cup, Davis Cup, Stanley Cup, Walker Cup, and all others of significance; and   

WHEREAS, The America's Cup, first contested in 1851, presently resides at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, the home club of BMW Oracle Racing.  Only two other American yacht clubs have held the trophy - New York Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club.  On February 14, 2010, off Valencia, Spain, BMW Oracle Racing defeated Team Alinghi 2-0 to win the cup, and will defend the America's Cup in the 34th cup match expected in 2013 or 2014 at a venue to be determined by the American team; and   

WHEREAS, Other United States cities that have hosted the America's Cup match, notably New York City, 1851 through 1930, Newport, Rhode Island, where cup racing was held from 1930 through 1983, San Diego, California, which hosted cup defenses in 1988, 1992, and 1995, have been eliminated from consideration for hosting the 34th cup defense, leaving only San Francisco as the last possible United States host city; and

WHEREAS, The assessments of economic studies found that holding the next America's Cup here in either 2013 or 2014 would infuse $1.4 billion into the San Francisco Bay area's economy, the vast majority of it in San Francisco, and generate 8,800 jobs; and   

WHEREAS, A report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Beacon Economics estimates that all told, including statewide and national impacts, including extended tourism, the series of yacht races in San Francisco Bay would generate $1.9 billion in economic activity and create about 12,000 jobs; and   

WHEREAS, All the citizens of California would benefit from the proven immense, positive economic impact of hosting the 34th Defense of the America's Cup in San Francisco; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature petitions the BMW Oracle Racing Team representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club to designate the City of San Francisco to be the host of the 34th Defense of the America's Cup; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislature urges the State of California to support San Francisco's bid to host the 34th Defense of the America's Cup in San Francisco California and urges the state to execute the formation of a single face of state government for the purpose of securing state permits for the America's Cup in San Francisco, or other state documents, such as driver's licenses for the international competitors and their families; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Additional Links and Info:

Visit Golden Gate YC website

Visit Club Nautico di Roma website