America’s Cup Village Gives Landlubbers a Glimpse of the Festivities

You don’t have to sail a racing yacht to have fun during the America’s Cup. Even better, you don’t have to be rich to join the soiree that kicks off a year of excitement as San Diego prepares for the largest regatta in the world.

San Diego is gearing up for the first International America’s Cup Class World Championship, which begins today and runs through May 11, acting as somewhat of a trial run to America’s Cup ’92.

“The Worlds are a prelude to yearlong activities leading up to next May,” said Lowell Taylor, marketing director of the America’s Cup International Village at the Embarcadero Marina Park North, which opened Friday and runs through May 12. “This is a place for people and visitors to participate in the Worlds, a place where everyone can come and be a part of the activities.”

As many as 10 teams from six nations are slated to compete, while about 200,000 people are expected to visit “The Village.” If you go to Seaport Village, you really can’t miss it.

A 70-foot by 40-foot brightly decorated structure is in place at Harbor Drive and Seaport Village. The structure, which spans the street, is covered with flags and banners and adorned with a wind-resistant fabric painted with sailing scenes.

Another feature of The International Village is a television with a 14-foot by 18-foot screen moored on a barge in San Diego Bay west of the village, which will broadcast the races live.

The Village, sponsored by the America’s Cup Organizing Committee and the Port of San Diego, will feature international food prepared by eight local restaurants, ranging from Benihana of Tokyo to Cabo Cabo Grill. A beer garden has also been set up, and daily stage entertainment will be provided.

On Sunday, Radio Latina will present an all-day Cinco de Mayo Celebration. One can also see the Ravels, a Motown revue, on Monday between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.; Rockin’ Joe, a 1950s’ duet on Thursday from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.; or the West Coast Band, which plays beach music, on May 11 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

But this is just a smattering of free entertainment and what you can find at the Village.

Official America’s Cup souvenirs are for sale. One of the more expensive souvenirs is a jacket printed with a map of San Diego Bay and the race courses. The cost: $55. Sweat shirts can be bought for $34, T-shirts run about $16, visors are $12, and lapel pins are $5.

When you’re ready to go indoors for more America’s Cup action, try the America’s Cup Challengers’ Center in the Gaslamp Quarter near the Convention Center, sponsored by the Challenger of Record Committee for America’s Cup XXVIII.

“This is a place where the challengers and defense syndicates can sell and promote and display in a festive atmosphere,” said spokeswoman Patricia Thornton. “This is the only indoor place with live coverage. . . . You can sip on an Italian beer and eat an English meat pie and wear a Japanese T-shirt.”

The public can meet the challengers from some of the various countries in the race while dining on international food, Thornton said.

The Center, on 4th Avenue between J and K streets, is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. Admission is free.

To see more paraphernalia, stop by the America’s Cup Museum at the B Street Pier, scheduled to open Friday.

Among the items in the museum will be a tank-testing model of Stars and Stripes ‘87, a 22-foot yacht that was used to determine the best hull shape and winged keel configuration of the winning yacht. The model is part of the collection at the San Diego Maritime Museum.

Another item on display is a mural with illustrations of profile views of various America’s Cup boats, alongside a profile of the Star of India. Another illustration on the mural is of the schooner America, which won the race that eventually led to the first America’s Cup challenge in 1857.

Admission for adults is $5, and $1 for children.