Following Sunday’s race victory, which resulted in a 2-0 sweep of the 33rd America’s Cup Match, the BMW Oracle Racing team is preparing to bring the Cup home to the United States.

The America’s Cup Victory Tour presented by Oracle and BMW EfficientDynamics will begin tomorrow afternoon February 19, when the trophy touches down in San Francisco following a flight in a first-class seat to SFO from Valencia via Frankfurt. After being welcomed at the airport, the trophy and team will proceed to the Golden Gate Yacht Club – the team’s patron and the Cup’s new home – for a reception with club members and special guests. Saturday morning, a public viewing is planned at the San Francisco City Hall Rotunda.

At 11:30 am Mayor Gavin Newsom will formally welcome the Cup and team, including team owner Larry Ellison, back to the United States in a City Hall ceremony open to the public. A press conference will follow.

On Sunday afternoon, the America’s Cup will head south to San Diego, where the team operated a training base for 16 months in 2008 and 2009.

At 4:00 pm the America’s Cup will be on public display at the USS Midway museum on the city’s waterfront. Following a 5:00 pm ceremony with Mayor Jerry Sanders, the trophy and team will head to the San Diego Yacht Club on the replica of the yacht America, for which the trophy is named.

A flotilla of San Diego boats will parade along with America for a sunset sail across San Diego Bay to former Cup holder San Diego Yacht Club.

The homecoming tour may be extended to the East Coast of the United States the following week – details to come.
 

Who:

BMW Oracle Racing invites you to enjoy unprecedented access to the America’s Cup as it lands on American soil for the first time in fifteen years.

What:

The team is hosting the following public events to welcome home the America’s Cup:

1. BMW Oracle Racing Team and America’s Cup arrival at San Francisco International Airport (SFO)

2. San Francisco City Hall Celebration hosted by Mayor Gavin Newsom, with Oracle CEO Larry Ellison

3. San Diego Celebration, hosted by Mayor Jerry Sanders

When:

Friday, February 19, 2010

4:30 PM PT: SFO International Terminal: America’s Cup is scheduled to pass customs; there will be a photo opportunity with the team and the Cup.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

11:30 AM PT: City Hall Celebration hosted by Mayor Gavin Newsom, joined by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, BMW Oracle Racing CEO Russell Coutts.

Media are advised to arrive at 10:30 AM with credentials for early admittance.

Team member 1-1 interviews available immediately following the conference.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

4:00 PM PT: The America’s Cup will be on public display at the USS Midway museum on the San Diego waterfront.

5:00 PM PT: Ceremony on USS Midway hosted by Mayor Jerry Sanders, followed by a Flotilla of San Diego boats to the San Diego Yacht Club.