Plus: An Oakland-based rapper was shot and killed during a local meet and greet and you’re not going crazy — there are even more sideshows in San Francisco as of late.
As we all continue oscillating between various layers and textures and densities of outerwear, collectively clung to summer’s tepid grasp on San Francisco, the city’s parks and waterfront communal spaces are bursting with warm(ing) bodies.
This past weekend was no different, especially along SF’s Embarcadero where herds of people congregated to watch some of the world’s top sailors participate in a winner-takes-all racing competition. SailGP — not to be confused as a maritime spin on artificial intelligence — launched four years ago and backed by, of course, billionaire Larry Ellison, took place off of Marina Green.
(San Francisco is known as one of the best, most picturesque places to hold sailing competitions, due to San Francisco’s Bay’s unique combination of high winds, robust currents, and breathtaking backdrops in all directions.)
Five international fleets of sailors, each grouping consisting of ten teams, competed for the $2 million prize — an amount double that of 2023’s race. After two days and hours of racing through SF Bay, the (incredibly attractive) team from Spain narrowly defeated the Australia and New Zealand teams.
Mind you: Saturday and Sunday’s maritime fanfare preceded a more unusual, utilitarian spectacle Friday morning when the world’s first-ever hydrogen-powered ferry ship set across the San Francisco Bay. This test run, caught by in-the-know San Franciscans and tourists alike who uploaded videos and pictures to social media, was held just a week before the ferry is set to offer rides to the public.
And better yet? Rides, which will have docking points at the Ferry Building and Pier 41, are free for the first six months of operation. Carbon neutral and frugal mass transit? Sign us up!
What else transpired over the weekend? Let’s take a look.
- The Trump assassination that wasn’t. A gunman, who was later identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, took a shot at Trump, as well as attendees of his Pennsylvania rally, from a nearby roof Saturday, July 15th, causing pandemonium; one civilian was killed during the shooting, and Crooks, himself, was later shot and killed by the FBI; the investigation into the shooting is still ongoing and is expected to carry with it significant implications for future security protocols, as well as have an influence — a positive one, skewing in Trump’s favor — when voters take to the polls in November; we’re not size queens … but an inch or two really could’ve made a world of difference. More info.
- Oakland-based rapper Tan Da God was killed Saturday. TEast Bay rapper was shot and killed at the opening party for a beauty supply shop in North Oakland; authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Oakland Police Department (OPD) at their non-emergency line, 510-238-3821, or call the OPD tip line at 510-238-7950; the murder of the up and coming rapper marks the 51st homicide recorded in Oakland this year. More info.
- There are definitely more sideshows in San Francisco this year. An SFPD report analysis published by ABC7 shows between January and June of 2024, 24 “stunt driving incidents” have been reported in San Francisco — eleven of those being recorded just last month; those figures are likely conservative estimates, as these incidents only included documents sideshows where the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) has interviewed, and those that occurred sans SFPD involvement, i.e. anecdotal accounts by civilians, were not included. More info.
