Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today signed Executive Order 11-11, establishing the America's Cup World Series Host Committee. The Committee will serve as the state's principal entity for the coordinated effort to successfully host the America's Cup World Series, which will take place June 23 – July 1, 2012 in Newport. Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, will serve as Chairman. The Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC) has estimated that the event could create hundreds of new jobs and pump more than $70 million into the state's economy.
"The America's Cup World Series races have great potential to bring job creation and revenue to Rhode Island," Governor Chafee said. "Newport has long, strong ties to the America's Cup, and these races renew that historic connection. The Host Committee established today, led by Newporter and renowned sailor Brad Read, will help to coordinate important preparation efforts to ensure that this exciting event is thoroughly successful."
The Governor was joined at the State House signing ceremony this afternoon by internationally renowned sailor and CEO of ORACLE Racing Russell Coutts, America's Cup Event Authority Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Richard Worth, and Brad Read.
As a result of Governor Chafee's leadership of interagency collaboration, the Governor and members of his administration were successful in winning the bid this past August to bring America's Cup racing back to Rhode Island. The state was awarded the final stop of the 2011-2012 AC World Series which promises to be a dramatic finish to the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit. The nine-day event will include multiple international race teams to be based at Fort Adams State Park and a variety of exciting activities and entertainment for the general public.
Members of the Host Committee will include Rhode Island business leaders, experienced event management professionals, municipal representatives and key state agencies. Drawing on that broad range of private and public sector leadership and business expertise - particularly in the marine trades, sailing, tourism and hospitality, commercial transportation and event management industries – the Committee will coordinate marketing, business outreach, public support, event logistics, traffic, public safety, and public infrastructure preparations to ensure a seamless execution of the event.
"The focus of the 34th America's Cup in 2013 has been on San Francisco and rightly so, but let's not forget that New York and then Newport were the center of the America's Cup world for 132 years. That's why the America's Cup unique; its future is exciting; its past is celebrated," said Russell Coutts, CEO, ORACLE Racing. "Fans in Newport will be able to experience the high-speed, next generation wing-sailed catamarans on the waters once graced by the J-Class and 12-metres."
"Newport has played host to some of the most legendary America's Cup battles in the competition's history, and the AC World Series Newport event will be added to that illustrious history of outstanding events," said Richard Worth, Chairman and CEO, America's Cup Event Authority. "We look forward to working closely with the local organizing committee to deliver a spectacular event that thrills audiences, whether they are watching from the water's edge, online or on television."
"By enlisting the state's collective talent and expertise in key areas of planning and execution, the Committee will help Rhode Island make the many critical infrastructure and logistical preparations needed to host an exciting and successful America's Cup event in Newport and ensure that we fully integrate local communities and businesses into the process," said Brad Read, Committee Chair and Executive Director of Sail Newport.
In addition to Chairman Brad Read, Governor Chafee will select and appoint other Committee members and representatives. The state Directors of the Department of Administration, Department of Transportation, and Department of Environmental Management will each appointed one designee from their departments.
The Committee will work closely with the America's Cup Event Authority, municipalities and area businesses to ensure a successful event for all stakeholders including local communities and businesses. Members will facilitate race team and spectator needs, coordinate and integrate public safety measures, facilitate parking, traffic control, pedestrian safety, security, water safety and communication with area residents and businesses and any other necessary functions, including marketing and promotion.
Newport was selected as the final stop of the 2011-2012 AC World Series, which promises to be a dramatic finish to the first season of the new AC45 professional circuit. Designed to expose millions more people to the sport of high-performance racing, the new professional circuit was created to bring the America's Cup experience to top international venues.
In addition to hosting the high-tech AC45 wing-sailed catamarans in 2012, Newport also has the honor of seeing the first AC World Series circuit champion crowned. The highlight of each AC World Series stop is the spectacular, winner-takes-all, fleet race on final the Sunday, where teams put points on the board to take the overall title.
The America's Cup Host Committee will be made up of the following representatives, in addition to other possible appointees:
* Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, Chair
* A representative from the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation
* Three representatives from the Rhode Island State Yachting Commission
* A representative from the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association
* A representative from the Providence/Warwick Convention and Visitor's Bureau
* A representative from the Newport and Bristol County Convention and Visitor's Bureau
* A representative from Rhode Island's commercial shipping industry
* A representative from the Newport County Chamber of Commerce
* A representative from the City of Newport
* A representative from the Town of Jamestown
* A representative from the Town of Middletown
* A representative from the Town of Bristol
* A representative from the Town of Portsmouth
* A representative from the Fort Adams Trust
* A representative from International Yacht Restoration School/Museum of Yachting
* A representative from the Herreshoff Museum
* Two representatives with knowledge and experience regarding implementation of large scale sailing and hospitality events
* A Department of Administration designee
* A Department of Transportation designee
* A Department of Environmental Management designee
* Any other such representatives as the Governor may deem necessary