34th Americas Cup legacy program

Sailors for the Sea announced as Official Sustainability and Clean Regattas Partner

With the first event on the journey to the 2013 America’s Cup just over four weeks away, so too begins the Cup’s sustainability journey, a key component of the 34th America’s Cup legacy program. The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) 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.

As the launch of the new America’s Cup World Series in Cascais, Portugal this August draws near, the ACEA is proud to introduce the first of these partners, Sailors for the Sea, and to announce its commitment to their Clean Regattas program.

“Sailors have the responsibility to ensure that our sailing grounds remain protected for future generations to enjoy. And as we are delivering the most prestigious sailing regatta in the world, we believe that we have an even greater responsibility,” said Neill Duffy, ACEA, Director of Sustainability. “Looking at the way we manage the on-the-water event is a natural place to start on our sustainability path towards setting a new standard for our sport. We believe that our partnership with Sailors for the Sea will demonstrate our commitment to delivering the 34th America’s Cup as an event with a positive social purpose.”

Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas certification provides independent, third-party verification that a yacht club, sailing program, or regatta is environmentally responsible, and is doing its utmost to protect the waters upon which people sail. By making the Clean Regattas Pledge, regattas, yacht clubs, and sailing programs commit to protecting clean waters and shores. Participants vow to fulfill, and encourage others to fulfill, the goals and requirements of Clean Regattas, and to work to protect waters for the use and enjoyment of this and future generations.

"Sailors for the Sea is proud to work with the America's Cup Event Authority to implement our Clean Regattas program that supports a clean and healthy ocean ecosystem while reducing the environmental footprint of the America's Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup Finals," said Sailors for the Sea CEO Daniel Pingaro. "We are excited to support the sustainability initiative of the 34th America's Cup. A clean, diverse and vibrant marine ecosystem is good for the environment, for recreation and the economy. The America's Cup is moving into a new era and has committed to supporting a healthy ocean.”

In addition to profiling a new global model for sailing event organizers, the ACEA will utilize the global platform of the America’s Cup in partnership with leading NGOs to create awareness about the urgent issues facing our oceans. From public service announcements woven into America’s Cup broadcasts to visible identification on all America’s Cup boats and events, ocean conservation and environmental stewardship will be pervasive throughout the America’s Cup as it travels to global destinations over the next three years, culminating in the America's Cup Finals in 2013.