America's Cup Organizers To Refund Early Race Grandstand Tickets

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — The organizers of the America's Cup are refunding grandstand tickets for this summer's initial races of the America's Cup Challenger Series.

America's Cup CEO Stephen Barclay said it's "the right thing to do" given the uncertainty of when Swedish challenger, Artemis Racing, will be back in competition.

Artemis suffered a staggering loss last month in a practice crash which killed team tactician Bart Simpson and severely damaged its boat.

Last week, the team announced it was working to be back in competition by the end of July in time for the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.

Barclay said the grandstand bleachers will be removed entirely for the initial races in July. No reserved seats will be sold. Race watchers will be able to go to San Francisco's Marina Green for free standing room observation.

Tickets for the Vuitton semifinals will also be refunded, but once it's confirmed that Artemis is ready to race, current ticket holders will have first crack at re-booking for the semi-finals, in the grandstands, complete with food and beverage as originally planned.

Notifications are going out via email.

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