Newport nonprofit partners with America’s Cup to support sustainability

SAN FRANCISCO – The America’s Cup Event Authority has chosen a Newport-based organization, Sailors for the Sea, as its first partner in a new international program intended to better preserve and protect the oceans of the world.

The authority is now beginning pre-regatta activities before the next America’s Cup competition, set for 2013 in San Francisco, and a key component of the 34th America’s Cup legacy program is promoting sustainability of the ocean waters, organizers said in a prepared release.

“The America’s Cup Event Authority is partnering with global and local ocean conservation efforts to reach people around the world who have an affinity for our world’s oceans and motivate them to act to improve the health of the oceans,” the authority said.

“Sailors have a responsibility to ensure that our sailing grounds remain protected for future generations to enjoy,” said Neill Duffy, director of sustainability for ACEA. “And as we are delivering one of the most prestigious sailing regatta in the world, we believe that we have an even greater responsibility.”

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The America’s Cup authority is partnering with Sailors for the Sea in its “Clean Regattas” program, which provides certification that indicates independent third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program or regatta is environmentally responsible and is doing its utmost to protect the sea.

“We are excited to support the sustainability initiative of the 34th America’s Cup,” said Daniel Pingaro, CEO of the nonprofit Sailors for the Sea, founded in 2004. “A clean, diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem is good for the environment, for recreation and the economy.”

From public service announcements woven into the America’s Cup broadcasts to visible identification on all America’s Cup boats and events, recognition of ocean conservation and environmental stewardship will be pervasive throughout the America’s Cup as it travels to global destinations over the next three years, the ACEA said.

The America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport, at nearly 160 years old, is one of the world’s leading sporting competitions. The new America’s Cup World Series begins its inaugural season in August with races in Cascais, Portugal, with the Cup finals slated to take place in San Francisco Sept. 7-22, 2013. Newport is in the running to host World Series events and had hoped to host the finals in 2013.

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