America's Cup Races In Chicago: Like 'NASCAR On The Water'
CHICAGO (CBS) – Thousands lined the lakefront Friday to witness the first practice races of America's Cup.
The vessels are 45-foot catamarans with J-shaped foils that can elevate the boats and speed them forward at up to 40 mph.
"This is like NASCAR or F-1 on the water, right here in downtown Chicago," Cup event director Tod Reynolds tells CBS 2's Vince Gerasole.
Six teams from around the world — Emirates Team New Zealand, Softbank Team Japan, Team France, Oracle Team USA, Land Rover Bar (Great Britain) and Artemis Racing (Sweden) — will compete Saturday and Sunday, trying to qualify for the 2017 America's Cup in Bermuda.
Navy Pier is hosting the America's Cup qualifying races. It is the first time the 165-year-old sailing event is being held in Chicago and the first time it will take place in freshwater.
"They're all the exact same," Reynolds says. "So, the test this weekend won't be who has the best equipment, it's going to be who has the best sailors."
Races begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The course goes from Navy Pier to the Museum Campus and back.