Newport will be the site of a significant sailing event next year when Team Alinghi, winners of the America’s Cup 2003, will host the UBS Trophy from June 19 to 26.
The seven-day match racing series will be held on the waters off Newport, the historic home of the America’s Cup. Under the management of Team Alinghi, but with an independent race committee appointed by the New York Yacht Club, the racing will start and finish in front of Fort Adams (weather permitting).
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The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island, will herald the first time that the sleek IACC class have raced off the shores of Newport. The event will be televised internationally.
UBS, a global financial services firm, is the title sponsor of the event, with co-sponsors, local sponsors and suppliers announced next spring.
“The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island provides UBS with a unique way to extend our sponsorship of Team Alinghi and our involvement with America’s Cup sailing to a U.S. audience,” said John Costas, chairman and chief executive of UBS Investment Bank. “We are thrilled to help bring this event to Newport and proud to be involved with the effort to make America’s Cup-style racing more accessible to the general public.”
“Rhode Island is excited to be working in partnership with Alinghi and UBS to bring America’s Cup Class racing back to the Ocean State,” said Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri. “It is an honor for Rhode Island to be in the company of Auckland, San Francisco and Valencia as venues for this exciting class.”
The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island, will be accessible to the public in many respects, with the event base at the Newport Shipyard providing easy access to both boats and teams. Several on-shore festivities, including exhibition races, are planned to mark this event.
“We are looking forward to racing a great series in Newport, a town steeped in America’s Cup tradition,” said Peter Holmberg, helmsman, Team Alinghi. “It’s been a long time since Americans have had America’s Cup class racing on the East Coast, and our goal is to keep the racing close to the shore, exciting and accessible for the public to enjoy. “
The competition will pitch old rivals and new ones against each other, with Oracle BMW Racing having confirmed their participation and other teams indicating their desire to race.
The regatta will give teams an opportunity to compete against each other in the United States prior to America’s Cup Management events scheduled in Europe later next year.
“The UBS Trophy, Rhode Island is an important event for Team Alinghi, as it will be the official start of our campaign for the America’s Cup 2007,” said Russell Coutts, Team Alinghi’s leader. “It will also be an organizational challenge for us, as we are committed to run a great event. Bringing the Cup back to Newport will be fantastic.”
A press conference will be held next spring in Newport to confirm further details of the event.
The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sports.
