2012 Atlantic Cup Announced: Charleston-New York-Newport - Sailors for the Sea

2012 Atlantic Cup Announced: Charleston-New York-Newport

Press Release

11th Hour Racing signs on as presenting sponsor for next 3 years. Sailors for the Sea, Newport Shipyard, Atlantis WeatherGear & the Boomer Esiason Foundation return as race partners.

 

August 23, 2011 – Newport, Rhode Island – Manuka Sports Event Management is pleased to announce the second running of The Atlantic Cup will kick off May 12, 2012 from Charleston, South Carolina. The Atlantic Cup is a dedicated professional Class 40 race held annually in the U.S. with a focus on running an environmentally responsible event. Additionally, Manuka Sports is happy to announce 11th Hour Racing will return as the presenting sponsor for the next three years.

After the first running of what Manuka Sports called a ‘proof of concept’ race in May 2011, positive feedback from competitors, sponsors and partners has allowed organizers to expand the Atlantic Cup for 2012. Charleston, one of the most historic sailing communities in the United States will be the starting point for the 2012 edition of the Atlantic Cup. The 2012 race will showcase the top Class 40 sailors in the U.S. as they race a 648 nautical mile off-shore leg double-handed from Charleston around the infamous, Cape Hatteras then north to New York City. Once in New York there will be a brief stopover before competitors start the coastal leg of the race. The coastal leg will take competitors along the same course as the 2011 race: 260 nautical miles, south out of New York to a turning mark off the New Jersey coast before heading north to Newport. Winning the distance legs alone won’t be enough to be crowned Atlantic Cup Champion. Once in Newport, competitors will race a two-day, inshore series with a crew of six. The combined overall winner of both stages will be the Atlantic Cup Champion. The prize purse will be at least $30,000, making it again one of the largest purses for sailing in the United States.

Additionally, race organizers are pleased to announce 11th Hour Racing will continue to be the presenting sponsor through the 2014 Atlantic Cup. With 11th Hour Racing’s sponsorship in 2011, and organizer’s commitment to the Clean Regattas program the foundation was laid for running an environmentally responsible regatta as the Atlantic Cup featured boats eliminating the use of plastic water bottles on board, utilizing hydro-generators and bio-diesel for fuel. Additionally all on-site hospitality minimized the use of plastics and emphasized recycling. 11th Hour Racing is committed to advancing sailing practices that improve the energy profile and performance of racing boats, and increase the personal investment of sailors in the health of our waters.

Jeremy Pochman, 11th Hour Racing’s Program Director said,

“11th Hour Racing is excited to continue its collaboration with the Atlantic Cup, the premier professional, environmentally motivated regatta in the United States. The inaugural Atlantic Cup required the use of hydro-generators and bio-diesel, recycling and conservation of water. We can always go farther. In 2012, 2013 and 2014 we will build on this foundation: the competitors and the event itself, acting as role models to demonstrate that smart choices benefit the performance of the boat and the marine environment. The Atlantic Cup and the Class 40 are excellent platforms to push these boundaries of performance and practice. 11th Hour Racing recognizes the commitment of the Atlantic Cup to educate and inspire a broad audience of youth, communities and sailors. Together, we will protect the health of our waters with successful, practical solutions, one degree at a time.”

To further their commitment to an environmentally responsible race, the 2012 edition of the Atlantic Cup will again pledge for Gold level Clean Regattas certification from Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating communities.

Dan Pingaro, Executive Director and CEO, Sailors for the Sea, said,

“It’s an honor to work with the organizers of the annual Atlantic Cup for the second year in row, as they commit to gold level Clean Regatta certification in 2012 and continue their legacy of promoting ocean conservation. We are also pleased to once again support 11th Hour Racing in their efforts to raise awareness to the dangers facing the health of oceans and local waters. Hats off to the crew’s achievements in 2011 in helping the sport of sailing grow the use of hydro-generators and bio-diesel,”

Manuka Sports Event Management Founder and Managing Partner, Hugh Piggin, stated,

“We are extremely pleased to have 11th Hour Racing as our presenting sponsor for the next 3 years. We very much look forward to growing The Atlantic Cup with 11th Hour Racing. Additionally, it is terrific to be able to support the growth of the Class 40 in the US and to do it in an environmentally responsible way. The 2011 racing was extremely close and fast. With next year’s start in Charleston is a fantastic sailing destination, the added off-shore leg is a significant challenge for competitors and will be exciting viewing for spectators, it will be great to watch as each leg of the race presents different set ups and tests for the crew and their boats.”

Additionally, race organizers announced the Newport Shipyard, Atlantis WeatherGear and the Boomer Esiason Foundation will all return as race partners for the 2012 Atlantic Cup.

The Newport Shipyard, the focal point for major yachting happenings in Newport, will again be the headquarters for the Atlantic Cup when the race is in Newport, both hosting the boats and providing support services to the competitors during the race.

The Boomer Esiason Foundation , committed to heightening awareness, education and quality of life for those affected with cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure, will continue to be the Atlantic Cup’s official charitable partner.

Atlantis Weather Gear a Northeast based technical apparel company, “committed to making gear that keeps you dry and comfortable while you pursue your passions on the water” will continue to be the official technical apparel supplier.   

Quick Facts About The Atlantic Cup 

  • Presented by 11th Hour Racing
  • 11th Hour Racing’s establishes a dynamic new platform for public education about the responsible use of energy and resources in the context of an exciting recreational and competitive sport. The use of hydro-generators and bio-diesel in the boats competing in the Atlantic Cup is a direct result of 11th Hour’s commitment to the environment.  
  • Atlantis Weather Gear is the official apparel provider 
  • The Newport Shipyard is the official Newport home of the Atlantic Cup 
  • Boomer Esiason Foundation is the Atlantic Cup’s Official Charitable Partner 
  • Run under Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas guidelines 

– Using canteen water bottles on the boats while racing and set up and maintain water filling stations during the event
– Using environmentally friendly cleaning products on all boats
– Recycling at all sites during the race 
– Recycling by all boats when completing the off-shore and in-shore portion of the race
– Using biodegradable plastic throughout the race including at pre and post-race parties and dinners
– Using 100% post-consumer recycled paper for all event packets
– Organizing a green team to maintain a trash-free site at both hospitality events
– Preventing discharge of untreated sewage or black water in harbor areas and on race courses throughout the event
– Asking all race participants to use water only when washing down their boats during the course of the regatta

  • Open to Class40 boats
  • Minimum $30,000 prize purse
  • Depart Charleston, South Carolina May 12, 2012
  • Race double-handed 645nm from Charleston to New York
  • One day of Pro-Am racing held May 18, 2012 in New York Harbor
  • Depart New York Harbor May 19, 2012
  • Race double-handed 260nm from New York to Newport
  • Two days inshore fully crewed buoy racing held over the weekend of May 26 in Newport, RI
  • Finish Party and prize giving in Newport at Newport Shipyard on May 27

History of The Atlantic Cup
Having sailed professionally and worked on some of the biggest sporting events in the world, the creators of The Atlantic Cup have watched professional sailing grow in popularity around the world, however interest has not been as strong in the United States. They realized that professional sailing in the United States has remained a secondary sport largely because there is a lack of races that are sponsor driven, have mass media attention, professional competitors and award prize money.

The organizers of The Atlantic Cup, therefore, came together to fill the void and create a top-level premier sailing race in the United States. The goal is to produce hard fought, intense sailing competitions featuring the top U.S. and international short-handed sailors. The races will be surrounded by entertaining, engaging events that will engage the casual fan’s interest and grow a new generation of sailing fans and enthusiasts.  

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Media Contact

Jennifer Brett
Communications Manager, Sailors for the Sea
jbrett@oceana.org
Sailors for the Sea
449 Thames Street, 300D
Newport, RI 02840

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