America’s Cup Trophy Returns To Newport

Saturday, June 26, 2010

GoLocalProv Sports Team

It's back.

Well, nearly. Whether it’s getting an up-close look at the oldest trophy in international sport, savoring a parade of majestic racing yachts, attending lunch with some of the top names in sailing or viewing a presentation by the winning America’s Cup team at historic Fort Adams, visitors are guaranteed an unforgettable experience in Newport this week.

BMW ORACLE Racing, winner in February of the 33rd America’s Cup, will return to Newport on Thursday, July 1, 2010 as part of its US victory tour. The return to Rhode Island of one of the world’s most prized sporting trophies will be a true homecoming. Rhode Island was host to 12 of the 33 America’s Cup regattas from 1930 to 1983, and is home to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.

Welcome Home

“I encourage everyone to come out to Newport to welcome the America’s Cup trophy home, and show BMW ORACLE Racing that Rhode Island is the perfect location for the next America’s Cup race,” said Governor Donald L. Carcieri.

“Rhode Island is thrilled to welcome visitors from across New England and the world to help celebrate BMW ORACLE Racing’s spectacular victory. Newport promises to offer sailing enthusiasts and the general public alike an experience they will cherish for a lifetime,” said Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation. “This state has a rich sailing heritage and a deep tradition of America’s Cup racing. Nowhere else can that be experienced like it is here. The past, present and future of one of the world’s most prestigious sporting

events will come together in Newport on July 1, and Rhode Island is honored to be the host.”

The America’s Cup trophy will be available during four public showings between downtown Newport and Fort Adams State Park throughout the day. Viewing is free of charge. Free parking will be available at the Newport Gateway Transportation and Visitors Center, where water taxis will be available to take visitors to Fort Adams.

The Day's Events

9:30–10:45am: BMW ORACLE Racing will unveil the America's Cup trophy at Bannister's Wharf for its first public viewing of the day.
11–11:45am: A fleet of former America’s Cup racing yachts will parade through Newport Harbor and make their way to Fort Adams State Park.
11am–12:45pm: The America’s Cup trophy will be on public display at Fort Adams.
Noon - 2pm: BMW ORACLE Racing will give a multimedia presentation as part of a “Cup Victory Tour Luncheon” on the North Lawn of Fort Adams. The Herbert C. Pell Cup Trophy, traditionally awarded to the America’s Cup challengers, will be presented to BMW ORACLE Racing at that time.
(Tickets for the luncheon are available to the public for $50 each or $1,000 per sponsored table of ten. They can be purchased at http://www.sailnewport.org. Space is limited to 400 people. This event will sell out. Proceeds will benefit Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s non-profit, public sailing center.)
3– 4 pm: BMW ORACLE Racing will give a special presentation to junior sailors from around Narragansett Bay.
The trophy will be on display at Fort Adams on and off throughout the day; go here for updates on all the festivities.

“BMW ORACLE Racing’s Cup Tour in Newport will re-introduce thousands of Rhode Islanders to the America’s Cup. More importantly, we will showcase the America’s Cup to the next generation of sailors, the youth sailing community of Narragansett Bay,” said Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport. “Sailing is a life sport. We are eager to further promote our message that anyone can learn to sail, no matter what age.”

The Trip Back

The America’s Cup, first contested in 1851, currently resides at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, the home club of BMW ORACLE Racing. Only two other American yacht clubs have held the trophy – New York Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club. SDYC lost the Cup to Team New Zealand in 1995, the last time the America’s Cup was held in the United States. In 2003, the Swiss-based Team Alinghi won the Cup from New Zealand. On February 14, 2010, off Valencia, Spain, BMW ORACLE Racing defeated the Team Alinghi 2-0.    “The Pell family is extremely pleased to present the Pell Trophy, in conjunction with the Ida Lewis Yacht Club, to Team BMW ORACLE Racing in recognition of their historic achievement. It is the oldest post-World War II trophy awarded to the America’s Cup challengers,” said Toby Pell. “My father and grandfather began the tradition, and they would have been delighted to see the Pell Trophy presented in Newport to a winning American team.”

Planning for the next edition of the America’s Cup is underway, with the finals expected in 2013 or 2014 at a venue to be determined by the American team.

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