America's Cup: Onshore moving beyond the public arena

7:37 PM Sun 14 Feb 2010 GMT

'Happy faces all round - America’s cup' Richard Hampson

The Valencia crowds were happy with a mild sunny day in the America's Cup Park on Sunday, but there are those that can move beyond the public areas and look behind the scene. Family, guests, and media get the chance to have a closer look at what is happening on the bases.

Friday's racing sorted out the best places to watch the race around the Park. At the big screen it simply got too chilly as the hours ticked by and the mixed language commentary didn't satisfy some enthusiasts. The pick of the public spots was the Estrella Damm bar where, thanks to the commentary feed not working through the audio system, a group of Sailing Anarchy people, who had chosen to provide its event coverage from the Bar, rather than from the water, took up an impromptu commentary in English.

But if you didn't want to slum it with the general crowd and could muster a base-pass, the next best place to be was in the lounge of one of the teams with family and supporters.

The media has been included in base access but under monitored control. On rest days both teams have provided news opportunities at their bases. Saturday had Alinghi inviting media into their lounge for a TV sports afternoon with Six Nations rugby providing the draw card for a predominantly English crowd. Ernesto and Brad wandered around welcoming the gang with cheery, unworried looking smiles.

Over at BMW Oracle on Saturday a formal press conference was organised with a group of design and technical people. BOR have a very comfortable theatre next to the lounge where signed in, labelled media congregate to listen to the experts, ask questions and be part of BOR's own live programme. On leaving these sessions the media have been welcome to join in the lounge crowd and partake in the hospitality. This has not been a blessing for some who find the generous offerings of sponsor, Veuve Clicquot, a torment to pass up if one has to file a TV or radio report.

Sailing on the good ship Clicquot - America’s cup - Richard Hampson

Both teams have encouraged attendance at their early morning dock out. A race start scheduled to begin at 10am equates to a 5.45am gathering outside BOR's Darsena base, ready for transport to the port compound. Thankfully for Friday and Sunday attendees, racing postponement notified the night before allowed 7.45am meeting times. Five buses transported the faithful and curious a couple of kilometres into the commercial port where the giant trimaran was moored. At the port compound they had a red carpet area setup on the dock. As lift-off time arrived, the music started, the fans started hooting and the white suited team emerged like in some Hollywood space movie. It was very upbeat and party music added to the toe tapping. Although you could be forgiven for thinking it was a clever plan to help those with frozen feet to dance and get the blood moving again.

There was a reasonable amount of optimism given Friday's race, but few were ready to say it was in the bag. Now they can party and many media people are breathing sighs of relief as bookings for hotels and airline tickets don't need to be changed.

How things progress from here is anyone's guess but there is a feeling things will progress more rapidly with BMW Oracle holding the cup and Alinghi likely to accept the outcome without further dispute.