America’s Cup to Visit Former Cup Home in Newport, RI

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing, the American winners of the 33rd America’s Cup, will bring the oldest trophy in international sport to Newport, Rhode Island, on Thursday, July 1, 2010. The iconic trophy will be on show at open-to-the-public events.

Rhode Island, host to 12 of the 33 America’s Cup regattas from 1930 to 1983, and home to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, will welcome the trophy and team representatives at a day of events celebrating both the heritage and future of the America’s Cup.

The Cup will be on public display in downtown Newport in the morning and Fort Adams State Park in the afternoon, and viewing is free of charge.

Russell Coutts, BMW Oracle CEO, talks during the first 34th America's Cup presentation. The Cup was on display at La Maddalena last weekend (as it will be by agreement with the WSTA for all such events) and will go to Newport, RI, next month. It will be the first time the Cup has been back in Newport since Sep 1983 when NYYC handed it over to Alan Bond. Rome, 6 May 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

A “Cup Victory Luncheon” will be held at historic Fort Adams to benefit Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s non-profit, public sailing center. A highlight of the day will be BMW ORACLE Racing’s presentation to Rhode Island-area junior sailors, free of charge, at Fort Adams following the luncheon.

The presentations will be emceed by Tom Ehman (USA), BMW ORACLE Racing External Affairs and former Newport resident, and include design coordinator Ian Burns (AUS), sailing team member Brad Webb (NZL), and design team member and Newport-area native Scott Ferguson (USA)."

“BMW ORACLE Racing is proud to be the first American winner since 1992,” said CEO Russell Coutts, the most successful skipper in the event’s history. The win is a culmination of a 10-year quest by team owner Larry Ellison and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club.

“As we look to the future with the 34th America’s Cup it is important to revel in, and respect, the America's Cup's history and tradition of people, places and innovation. Newport, RI played a huge part in shaping the heritage of sailing’s pinnacle event,” Coutts said.

“The 1983 series catalyzed interest in the Cup around the world, including many of our current team. However, when his fellow countrymen won off Newport that year, James Spithill, our Australian skipper and the youngest ever to win the Cup, would have only been four years old!