America's cup - Portsmouth
Discussion
This Thursday - Sunday in Portsmouth is the America's cup yacht racing http://acws-portsmouth.americascup.com/en/home.htm...
Anyone attending? I'll be visiting the festival site on Friday and out on the water Sunday. I've seen Ben Ainslie zipping about on his yacht so will be good to see 6 up close and fighting round the course.
Anyone attending? I'll be visiting the festival site on Friday and out on the water Sunday. I've seen Ben Ainslie zipping about on his yacht so will be good to see 6 up close and fighting round the course.
Went today wasn't overly impressed with how the event has been set up. Add in the awful weather and it just all added up to a wasted day off work.
Walked past numerous very friendly "wave makers" who pointed us towards the historic dockyard to see the yachts out the water. However they failed to mention they were in the water so nothing at all to see.
A free shuttle bus from the hard to southsea (although not to any entrance gate???) And they have boarded off the whole seafront! So no viewing without a ticket you then join a long que with other ticket holders to have all your bags searched, bottled water confiscated and food taken away (although for children's food they turned a blind eye which was good)
Once inside all the main tentage is bar area (not undercover for patrons though) tons of food outlets (all specialist which is nice) a few sailing related stalls and I mean a few, then 2 retail stalls for Ben ainslee racing, Americas cup and the Royal Marines with a boat and climbing wall. And that is pretty much it.
Whilst I know the racing is the main event it just felt seriously like Portsmouth council trying to make some money. I know a lot of people on the bus back were unhappy with the organisation. A shame as the actually staff (including security) were very friendly and helpful.
Walked past numerous very friendly "wave makers" who pointed us towards the historic dockyard to see the yachts out the water. However they failed to mention they were in the water so nothing at all to see.
A free shuttle bus from the hard to southsea (although not to any entrance gate???) And they have boarded off the whole seafront! So no viewing without a ticket you then join a long que with other ticket holders to have all your bags searched, bottled water confiscated and food taken away (although for children's food they turned a blind eye which was good)
Once inside all the main tentage is bar area (not undercover for patrons though) tons of food outlets (all specialist which is nice) a few sailing related stalls and I mean a few, then 2 retail stalls for Ben ainslee racing, Americas cup and the Royal Marines with a boat and climbing wall. And that is pretty much it.
Whilst I know the racing is the main event it just felt seriously like Portsmouth council trying to make some money. I know a lot of people on the bus back were unhappy with the organisation. A shame as the actually staff (including security) were very friendly and helpful.
K
the queues are going to be huge over the weekend with the search and being patted down.
boats looked impressive though... did not mind getting soaked to the skin.
ecsrobin said:
Went today wasn't overly impressed with how the event has been set up. Add in the awful weather and it just all added up to a wasted day off work.
Walked past numerous very friendly "wave makers" who pointed us towards the historic dockyard to see the yachts out the water. However they failed to mention they were in the water so nothing at all to see.
A free shuttle bus from the hard to southsea (although not to any entrance gate???) And they have boarded off the whole seafront! So no viewing without a ticket you then join a long que with other ticket holders to have all your bags searched, bottled water confiscated and food taken away (although for children's food they turned a blind eye which was good)
Once inside all the main tentage is bar area (not undercover for patrons though) tons of food outlets (all specialist which is nice) a few sailing related stalls and I mean a few, then 2 retail stalls for Ben ainslee racing, Americas cup and the Royal Marines with a boat and climbing wall. And that is pretty much it.
Whilst I know the racing is the main event it just felt seriously like Portsmouth council trying to make some money. I know a lot of people on the bus back were unhappy with the organisation. A shame as the actually staff (including security) were very friendly and helpful.
I agree, thought there would more going on in the dockyard, queued up for ages to get in at Southsea and had my bottle of water water poured away. There were thousands trying to watch what was going on with limited view and 50 metres along, in the vip area with the perfect view, there was hardly anyone.Walked past numerous very friendly "wave makers" who pointed us towards the historic dockyard to see the yachts out the water. However they failed to mention they were in the water so nothing at all to see.
A free shuttle bus from the hard to southsea (although not to any entrance gate???) And they have boarded off the whole seafront! So no viewing without a ticket you then join a long que with other ticket holders to have all your bags searched, bottled water confiscated and food taken away (although for children's food they turned a blind eye which was good)
Once inside all the main tentage is bar area (not undercover for patrons though) tons of food outlets (all specialist which is nice) a few sailing related stalls and I mean a few, then 2 retail stalls for Ben ainslee racing, Americas cup and the Royal Marines with a boat and climbing wall. And that is pretty much it.
Whilst I know the racing is the main event it just felt seriously like Portsmouth council trying to make some money. I know a lot of people on the bus back were unhappy with the organisation. A shame as the actually staff (including security) were very friendly and helpful.
the queues are going to be huge over the weekend with the search and being patted down.
boats looked impressive though... did not mind getting soaked to the skin.
webby74 said:
Was thinking of taking a look over the weekend. Anyone know if there is a good view from haslar sea wall?
Your likely to far away as the action is taking place off southsea castle. I was also up the sea wall the other day and despite it always saying private road signs now mention the home office have taken control of the road or words to that affect. It was also closed off for repairs. I work in the Dockyard, went to Sea today on HMS St Albans who is the guardship for the event, had a look around the boats earlier, looked impressive, could have gone to sea both Sat and Sun to watch the event, but thought ild give it a miss as The city will be a nightmare with all the visitors!
Gazzas86 said:
I work in the Dockyard, went to Sea today on HMS St Albans who is the guardship for the event, had a look around the boats earlier, looked impressive, could have gone to sea both Sat and Sun to watch the event, but thought ild give it a miss as The city will be a nightmare with all the visitors!
I doubt you'd have seen much anyway I know they say it's the guardship but surely it has to be close to be a guard? When I saw it yesterday it was providing protection to ryde pier. 
ksticks.sawman said:
what was the problem? as you say you cant control the weather? - many sailing events on the south coast were blown off today
The organisation of the festival site was shocking. As I've mentioned earlier on. Edited by sawman on Sunday 26th July 20:33
It also appears some people paid full price some got half price and some stayed throughout the day and got to see the concerts for free. VIP tickets at the concert meant you got no view as it was at the back of the arena.
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