Spectacular sailing craft representing nine nations will continue to compete on San Diego Bay through Sunday, March 6.  The five-day regatta began March 2. It marks the debut of the Oracle RC44 Cup class fleet, which as the best skippers in the sport and 11 teams. Russell Coutts, a four-time America’s Cup victor, conceived the design of the light-displacement, high-performance design RC44 in 2005, along with naval architect Andrej Justin. Coutts will be a member of this fleet. With an evenly split crew of amateurs and pros, the action attracts some of the leading business minds as owner-drivers. For the first four days, the boats will be handled by the owners. Then, the pro sailors with America’s Cup experience will take the helm. Spectator viewing is free from portions of Broadway Pier, Harbor Island and various spots on the downtown waterfront. Among the leading sailors are American yachting legend Paul Cavard, San Diego’s Rod Davis, Audi MedCup winners Morgan Larson and Jose Maria Ponce, Olympic gold medalist Kevin Burnham, New Zealand’s Cameron Appleton and Coutts. Coutts’ team, led by Larry Ellison, won the RC44 title in December. It’s a fitting return since Coutts’ America’s Cup victories. The 2011 championship tour includes Austria, France, Sweden and Spain before closing in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands next November. The Oracle RC44 Cup San Diego is organized by Sailing Events Association San Diego, a leading sailboat racing organization.  “Last year’s championship came down to the wire in Miami and with more owners coming into the class, the level and intensity of the competition figures to be greater than ever,” Coutts said in a recent statement.  “It’s always great to race in San Diego; it is a natural amphitheater for those watching from onshore.”