Sustainability efforts and commitment to promote ocean health key to weeklong activities

Newport, Rhode Island - December 13, 2011 - Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, is proud to announce that the America's Cup World Series San Diego earned the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas certification at the silver level. The America's Cup Event Authority's (ACEA) commitment to Clean Regattas practices resulted in environmentally focused activities throughout the event. The Clean Regattas certificates were presented to Bob Nelson, San Diego Port Commissioner, on behalf of the local organizing committee, and to the America's Cup Event Authority.  

"The San Diego community benefitted greatly from the diligent and focused efforts of ACEA and the commitment of the race teams to implement the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas program," said Annie Brett, program specialist, Sailors for the Sea. "ACEA has now completed three events and continues to succeed in their goals for environmental sustainability throughout the AC World Series."

Clean Regattas Efforts at America' Cup - San Diego
Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect and restore the waters upon which people sail. This program is an effort by Sailors for the Sea, in conjunction with committed participants, to reduce our impact on our oceans and coastal waters.

"The ACEA remains committed to delivering sustainable events and achieving the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas best practices," said Neill Duffy, Director of Sustainability, ACEA. "The ACEA and our partners raised the bar in San Diego over previous AC World Series events by delivering additional activities to protect the environment, such as providing public drinking water refilling stations and adhering to strict stormwater pollution prevention measures."

At the America's Cup World Series San Diego, ACEA undertook several Clean Regattas best practice efforts, including:

• Water Bottle Reduction - Event organizers reduced disposable water bottle use by providing the entire event workforce with reusable water bottles, and implementing water refilling systemsfor staff, public and teams.
• Green team - Champions in each America's Cup facility worked to ensure on-shore recycling efforts ran smoothly, and volunteers worked to ensure trash from the 120,000+ onsite viewers was properly disposed of.
• Trash-free regatta and recycling - Prominent and abundant placement of trash and recycling receptacles in the race village and spectator areas.
  
• Non-toxic cleaning products - non-toxic cleaning products used in all event facilities.
• Oil Spill Prevention- Oil spill kits available at marina fueling stations and onboard race management boats, and the use of fuel spill pads when fueling.
  
• Stormwater pollution prevention - Strict measures in place to prevent runoff.
• Bottom Paint - Non- toxic, copper-free bottom paint on all race management boats. Race boats are bottom paint free.
• Bottom Cleaning - Race management boats are only in the water for 10-15 days and therefore do not to need to be scrubbed. Once they are pulled out they are sprayed down over the harbor before leaving to prevent spread of any invasive species between locations.
• No Discharge - All vessels with holding tanks were pumped out at proper facilities on shore.
• Maintenance - Maintenance was conducted in covered areas with vacuums available to clean up all dust.
• Compost - Food waste composted by all back of house hospitality and food vendors.
• Sustainable Sea Life - Only Monterey Bay Aquarium "Best Choice" sustainable seafood served in VIP hospitality areas.

ACEA and America's Cup Race Management are tracking sustainability metrics in order to understand and improve performance at each AC World Series event; for example, the amount of fuel consumed and the amount of recycling collected.

Attention yacht clubs and event organizers: to make an event a Clean Regatta visit www.cleanregattas.org.

About Sailors for the Sea

Founded in 2004, Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and local waters. For more information or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.

About the America's Cup

At 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 runs August 2011 - June 2012. 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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SIMPLE WAYS SAILORS AND REGATTA ORGANIZERS CAN REDUCE THEIR IMPACT ON OUR OCEANS (more best practices are available here)

1. Water Bottle Reduction - Reduce single-use, disposable water bottles at the event site by providing Water Stations and Reusable Bottles to participants (participants can also be expected to provide their own reusable bottles).
2. Trash Free Regatta - Keep shores and waters clear of debris. Overboard discharge of trash and littering at shore facilities (e.g., rigging tape, cigarette butts, bottles, and cans) should be prevented.
3. Regatta Awards - Present race awards and trophies that contain recycled materials, as available. Alternatively, present awards that have a practical use, such as foul weather gear or boat gear.
4. Green Team - Assemble a team to work on shore and sea cleanup, oversee recycling operations, and communicate the goals and agenda of the program throughout the event.
5. Recycling - Provide recycling services at shore facilities for participants to deposit separated recyclable materials (e.g. bottles, cans, paper).