The
Challenge Series - Calendar Considered Complete
For The Year
August 18, 2003
By Sean Downey
After
a quick visit to the official site, it has come
to our attention that due to lack of sponsorship,
the organizers of The Challenge Series have called
it a year. The Challenge Series, ex International
America's Cup Class San Francisco (IACCSF) was
founded by John Sweeney to promote the racing
of vintage America's Cup class boats on the San
Francisco Bay.
The
following is the official word from their site:
The
Challenge Series
The
Challenge Series has now completed five regattas
over two years. We have grown from two yachts
to seven and along the way saved four AC yachts
from the scrap yard. The partners, Tina Kleinjan
and John Sweeney, have funded the events until
now. At first we planned on one event and then
it was three, four, then five. The line has been
drawn at five, and we now need a company to back
the Challenge Series to make it an ongoing event.
The deadline to achieve this was 8/14/2003, and
although many sponsors have showed great interest,
nobody has committed to a level that would let
the events be self sufficient.
We
have cancelled the September 5-8 event unless
somebody provides funding, and will do the same
for October. The plan is to wrap everything up
and set our sights on three great events in 2004
with sponsors and television. We will change the
rules to only allow 1992 and 1995 AC yachts and
work closely with America's Cup Properties to
secure the official Vintage America's Cup Class
rights. The regattas have been a huge success,
not only for the sailing community but for Bay
Area public who finally got to see America's Cup
Class racing in the perfect amphitheater.
John,
Tina, Nick, and the team appreciate all the support
everyone has offered. This is a passion of ours
and a very large undertaking. We look forward
to seeing it grow again next year and hope with
time and planning to make it an even bigger success.
If you are interested in funding it or know who
might be, please let us know ASAP. It’s
a shame to see such a great series of events cancelled.
