Governor Chafee Joins Race Officials to Announce America’s Cup World Series to be Held in Newport, RI

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August 15, 2011 | Print this page | Share This |

The nine-day event from June 23 – July 1, 2012 is a result of Governor Chafee’s leadership of interagency collaboration and ongoing permanent, public infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams State Park


Keith Stokes, RIEDC
Executive Director

Joined by America’s Cup officials, Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced that Newport will be the final stop of the 2011-2012 AC World Series, which promises to be a dramatic finish to the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit. The nine-day event will take place June 23 – July 1, 2012 with multiple international race teams to be based at Fort Adams State Park.

The AC World Series Newport stop is the result Governor Chafee’s leadership of interagency collaboration between the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation, Department of Environmental Management and Department of Administration. The event will be supported by key public and private organizations including municipalities, local business groups, the state’s hospitality, tourism, sailing and marine trades communities and many other stakeholders.

“Newport and Rhode Island have strong historical ties to the America’s Cup, dating back to 1930,” Governor Lincoln D. Chafee said. “Narragansett Bay, one of our state’s most spectacular assets, provides a perfect natural venue, and the ongoing infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams make Newport the ideal host for the final stop of the AC World Series. This exciting event will be a tremendous boost for the Rhode Island economy and continues the relationship between Newport and the America’s Cup.”

“Newport is the cradle of the America’s Cup sailing, so we’re very pleased to bring the AC World Series to the city that first exposed the Cup to the world,” said Richard Worth, Chairman, America’s Cup Event Authority. “We are building upon that rich history through this new professional circuit to accelerate the global appeal of the America’s Cup.”

“The America’s Cup is an exciting economic development opportunity for Rhode Island that will benefit local small businesses and support key industries including tourism and hospitality, marine trades and other related sectors of our economy,” said Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. “The continuing permanent public infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams State Park have not only ensured that Rhode Island can host the AC World Series in 2012 but will maintain Newport as a top-tier venue for future world-class sailing competitions.”

“The Department of Environmental Management is excited to be a partner in this successful, collaborative effort led by Governor Chafee to bring the America's Cup World Series to Fort Adams State Park,” said Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit. “The beauty, history and location of Fort Adams State Park are a big part of the attraction for the America's Cup officials, and the ongoing improvements to that facility will make it the perfect venue for the America's Cup World Series race and other top-notch sailing and marine events. Rhode Island's parks are some of our most outstanding natural assets, and it is exciting to show off these stunning places and to demonstrate again their importance to sailing and marine trade industries, hospitality and tourism."

“This is an acknowledgment of Newport’s ties to the America’s Cup and recognition that it is a world-class venue for a world-class event,” said Richard Licht, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration.

"It is exciting to have America's Cup sailing return to its home in Newport. This will provide a huge shot in the arm to our economy and gives us an opportunity to show the world all the wonderful things Newport has to offer," said Newport Mayor Stephen C. Waluk.

“The America’s Cup World Series Newport will engage the sailing and non-sailing community like never before,” said Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s Public Sailing Center. “The appeal of the World Series is the boats…45’ long racing machines doing speeds of well over 35 mph with all the race action within a stone’s throw of the shore.  This spectacle of sailing will appeal to all ages. This is the ultimate opportunity to introduce new people to the sport of sailing and to Rhode Island. The State’s commitment to improvements at Fort Adams State Park has ensured an America’s Cup World Series stop in 2012.  These improvements will also have immediate impacts on our ability to lure other high-profile events to Rhode Island.  Our goal is not a ‘one-and-done’ for AC World Series, but to become a regular stop on this remarkable worldwide tour.”    

Investments in permanent public infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams State Park that include a repaved access road to park amenities, better parking and sidewalks, new lighting and floating docks, additional moorings and improved landscaping, will allow Rhode Island to stage a spectacular AC World Series event as well as host future top sailing regattas which will generate new economic activity for local businesses and our marine trades and tourism hospitality industries.

Economic activity from the AC World Series will provide a much needed boost to Rhode Island businesses. The state will also benefit from sales, hotel, meals and beverage taxes. The AC World Series is an important global opportunity for Rhode Island to showcase our tourism assets to a worldwide audience and increase long-term visitor spending in the state.

Designed to expose millions more people to the sport of high-performance racing, the new professional circuit was created to bring the America’s Cup experience to top international venues like Newport.

In addition to being the first American host of the high-tech AC45 wing-sailed catamarans in 2012, Newport also has the honor of seeing the first AC World Series circuit champion crowned. The highlight of each AC World Series stop is the spectacular, winner-takes-all, fleet race on final Sunday, where teams put points on the board to take the overall title, so the final race on Sunday, July 1 in Newport could be the ultimate decision maker for the AC World Series champion.

Synonymous with the name America’s Cup, the spectacular harbor of Newport has played host to some of the most legendary America’s Cup battles in the competition’s 160 year-old history. Newport continues to attract the leading yachtsmen and women from around the world annually, hosting some of the world’s major sailing events on its waters. And now, the 2012 AC World Series Newport event brings the America’s Cup experience back to Newport after almost a 30-year absence.

Providing an opportunity to watch the world’s top sailors compete in the state-of-the-art AC45 wing-sailed catamarans, current plans call for holding the racing just outside of Newport Harbor at Fort Adams State Park, with the start/finish line just off the shoreline and spectator access along numerous points on the waterfront.

In addition to its world famous waters, Newport is a top tourist destination for domestic and international visitors. Home to spectacular coastal scenery, awe-inspiring architecture, a thriving waterfront downtown, and welcoming hospitality, Newport is considered by many to be a shining gem in the coastal crown of New England. For those whose hearts lie in architecture, design, and history, Newport offers tours of opulent mansions, interesting museums, and a number of walking tours that reveal the Colonial and Gilded Age charm of the city.

The AC World Series features tight, short racecourses designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore as well as the online and TV audiences. The innovative regatta format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing, and all-out fleet racing with 9 identical AC45s on the line. These events provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America’s Cup competitors racing together.

The forerunner to the next generation of America’s Cup boats, the AC45 wing-sailed catamaran is the official boat of the AC World Series. While capable of closing speeds over 35 mph, the AC45 remains nimble enough to handle the tight, tactical race courses planned by America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM).

About the America’s Cup

Nearly 160 years old, the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. The America’s Cup has evolved into one of the world's leading sporting competitions – featuring the best sailors on the world’s fastest boats, the wing-sailed AC45 and AC72 catamarans. The new America's Cup World Series begins its inaugural season August 2011. In the summer of 2013, the 34th America's Cup begins with the Louis Vuitton Cup July 4-September 1, followed by the America's Cup Finals September 7-22. For more information, visit www.americascup.com


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