The 2014 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing gears up for a Five-team Class 40 920 Nautical Mile Race from Charleston S.C. (May 10) to New York City to Newport, R.I. concluding with its Inshore Series (May 24-25) during Memorial Day Weekend
New and returning sponsors for 2014 include: 11th Hour Racing, Ironshore Insurance, Fragomen Worldwide, Hornblower Cruises and Events, Brown and Brown Insurance, Pabst Blue Ribbon, United Mileage Plus Headliners, Harken, Schlitz Brewing, Interlux, Nautical Channel, Style Newport, Jamestown FiSH and Atlantis Weathergear
April 29, 2014 – Charleston, S.C.: The 2014 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing announced today the final racing schedule and its five competitors for the fourth running of the premier U.S. Class 40 sailing event in the country. Teams will start in Charleston on May 10 and depart on a 685-mile leg to New York City. Following a brief stop-over in New York City teams will race a 240-mile leg to Newport, R.I., making The Atlantic Cup the longest offshore race on the east coast of the United States this year. The third and final leg will consist of two days (May 24 & 25) of inshore racing.
Teams Confirmed to compete in The 2014 Atlantic Cup include:
#25 Flatline-USA Kyle Hubley (Nova Scotia, Canada) and Frederick De Mesel (Belgium)
#39 Pleiad Racing-USA Ed Cesare (Norwalk, CT) and Chad Corning (Larchmont, NY)
#54 Dragon – USA Michael Hennessy (Mystic, CT) and Rob Windsor (Centerport, NY)
#106 Gryphon Solo II -USA Joe Harris (South Hamilton, MA) and Patrick O’Connor (Buffalo, NY)
#116 jeffreymacfarlane.com-USA Jeffrey MacFarlane (Franklin Lakes, NJ) and Jake Arcand (Scituate, MA)
The Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing is pleased to announce five new sponsors for 2014 as well as ten returning sponsors from 2013. Joining the Atlantic Cup this year are: Ironshore, Schlitz Brewing, Harken, Interlux and United Mileage Plus Headliners.
“Ironshore’s Yacht Division is proud to sponsor the 2014 Atlantic Cup. As one of the fastest growing insurance companies in the world today, we support their message of environmental responsibility and sustainability in protecting our waters so future generations can enjoy sailing as much as our clients do.” –James Bishop, Product Line Manager of Ironshore’s Yacht Division
“Hornblower Cruises & Events is thrilled to be an official sponsor of The Atlantic Cup for the second year in a row. As major proponents of and contributors to innovative marine technology and sustainability initiatives in the New York area, Hornblower is proud to support the Atlantic Cup and all those associated with it. The Hornblower Hybrid, the newest member of our New York fleet and the nation’s largest hybrid passenger vessel, epitomizes Hornblower’s dedication to sustainable marine practices and inventive water technologies.” Returning sponsor, Hornblower Cruises & Events’ Director of Marketing Tara Bossert
The Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing will aim to be the most environmentally sustainable sailing race in the United States. For the third year in a row, presenting sponsor 11th Hour Racing will help the Atlantic Cup maintain its status as the only carbon neutral event in the United States. Throughout the event, teams will use alternative fuel sources to power on-board electronics including using solar panels, and hydrogenerators. Biodiesel will also be provided for teams to use while getting to and from the docks. In addition, the Atlantic Cup will be a plastic water bottle free event with all teams required to use water tanks or refillable canteens for water. The Atlantic Cup will once again be aiming for Sailors for the Sea Platinum Level Certification.
For more information on all Atlantic Cup Sponsors and Partners please visit: http://www.atlanticcup.org/partners
Some Additional 2014 Atlantic Cup highlights include:
Kids Day in each city:
The Atlantic Cup offers the chance for kids to get an up close look at the boats and meet the sailors in Charleston (May 9) New York (May 15) and Newport (May 22). More info on Atlantic Cup Kids: http://www.atlanticcup.org/kids
Viewing Opportunities in each city:
The Atlantic Cup will have opportunities for spectators to watch the beginning of each leg live on-shore in Charleston (Saturday, May 10, 12 p.m. ET) New York (Saturday, May 17, 12 p.m. ET), and the two day inshore racing final leg in Newport (Saturday/Sunday, May 24/25, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. ET).
Water Week NYC
Water Week NYC is a new event co-created by Manuka Sports Event Management and E3Think. Designed to bring business leaders together to strategize on some of the biggest water challenges NYC is facing, Water Week NYC’s inaugural event takes place during the Atlantic Cup’s New York stopover. Hoboken, NJ Mayor Dawn Zimmer will give the keynote address. David Rockefeller, Jr. of the Rockefeller Foundation and Sailors for the Sea will give closing remarks. More informationhttp://www.waterweeknyc.com/
Living on the Edge 2.0 sponsored by Hornblower Cruises & Events on Thursday, May 15:
On Thursday May 15, the Atlantic Cup and 11th Hour Racing will present “Living on the Edge 2.0,” which will take place in NYC from 6-9 p.m. The event will feature a panel of distinguished speakers committed to technological change on the water. Grist.org founder Chip Giller will moderate the event with opening marks being given by Wendy Schmidt, The Schmidt Family Foundation & 11th Hour Racing. Richard Jenkins, Co-Founder & CEO of Saildrone, Ryan Williams, Director of Sustainability for Method, Cameron Clark, VP and General Manager of Hornblower Cruises and Events are panelists. Tickets are $50/ticket and are available for purchase.
newportFILM Screening on May 22:
The Atlantic Cup in association with newportFILM will present a special newportFILM Outdoors event, “Shipyard Shorts: A Collection of Adventure & Eco Docs”, at the Newport Shipyard on Thursday, May 22. A cocktail reception and meet and greet with Atlantic Cup skippers and boats will start at 7:15PM ($20 ticket price, reception + film screening) & the film will begin at sunset, approximately 8:15PM ($5 suggested donation, film screening only).http://www.newportfilm.com/film-events/films/shipyard-shorts-collection-adventure-eco-docs for more information
Newport Bay Weekend & Atlantic Cup Course Wide Shoreline Cleanup:
During the inshore races, spectators will have the chance to participate in the Newport Bay Weekend with local business and non-profits showcasing Narrangansett Bay on May 24 and 25. Clean Ocean Access will be leading a course wide cleanup from Pell Bridge to Beavertail (in Jamestown) and Castle Hill (in Newport). Along with Clean Ocean Access other Rhode Island non-profits will facilitate the clean up including: Clean Bays, Aquidneck Land Trust, Save the Bay, and Green Drinks of Newport. The event aims to have 500 volunteers. http://www.atlanticcup.org/events/event/newport-bay-weekend for more information.