America’s Cup: Huge Boost To Rhode Island Economy
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Newport hopes to bring in 100,000 spectators next July for what will be the final stop of the 2011-2012 America's Cup World Series, the first-of-its-kind competitive sailing circuit championship.
In an announcement made Friday, Governor Lincoln Chafee, EDC Executive Director Keith Stokes, House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed all praised the plan to bring the series to Rhode Island, saying it could provide a much-needed boost to the state’s economy.
"Newport and Rhode Island have strong historical ties to the America's Cup, dating back to 1930," Chafee said. "Narragansett Bay, one of our state's most spectacular assets, provides a perfect natural venue, and the ongoing infrastructure improvements at Fort Adams make Newport the ideal host for the final stop of the World Series. This exciting event will be a tremendous boost for the Rhode Island economy and continues the relation between Newport and the America's Cup."
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The America’s Cup World Series is the sport’s attempt at becoming spectator-friendly according to Brad Reed of Sail Newport. While sailing has always been popular, the goal is to promote its new circuit as a fast-paced, competitive athletic event.
The World Series features race courses designed to deliver close racing for the fans on shore as well as the online and TV audiences. The innovative regatta format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing, and all-out fleet racing with 9 identical boats on the line.
Reed said viewers will be shocked at how exciting the sport is.
“People are going to see this is Formula 1 on the water, it’s fast, it’s wet,” Reed said. “We say it’s like imagining yourself driving through a car wash at 40 miles per hour with your head out of the sunroof and that’s what it feels like sailing these boats. They’re crazy. They’re nuts.”
The final race will take place on Sunday July 1, 2012 in Newport, where a champion will be crowned. Governor Chafee’s Director of Administration Richard Licht said the state hopes to bring in 100,000 visitors for the series, which will have at least nine teams.
“This is like the seventh game of the World Series,” he said. “It’s big.”
Senator Whitehouse: Great Boost
Licht said the state did not have to pay anything to bring the series to Newport and that renovations at Fort Adams were already approved prior to the announcement. He said the only change is that renovations will take place at a faster rate now. Licht said the series could have great potential for the state’s economy.
In a statement issued Friday, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse agreed with Licht. He congratulated the state for bringing the Cup back to Newport and said the series should bring in tourists and boost revenue.
“Rhode Island is the true historical home for the America’s Cup, and I’m glad that these World Series races will be taking place in our beautiful City by the Sea. The arrival of the America’s Cup World Series races next year will be a great boost to our state’s economy, with the tourism and revenues it creates," Whitehouse said.
Speaker Fox: Rhode Island Needs Events Like This
Speaker Fox praised Governor Chafee, the EDC and the General Assembly for working together to bring the series to Newport. He called it a “real team effort” and it said it will be wonderful to see Rhode Island on the world stage.
Fox said the series will be a great opportunity for the state.
“Rhode Island needs events like this,” he said. “The world is watching, the world is investing in Rhode Island, the world wants to come to Rhode Island.”
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