Americas Class 40 Grand Prix

The Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing is a the United States’ premier Class40 sailing race. The 2012 race will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina May 11. From Charleston competitors will race double-handed to New York City. There will be approximately a 4-5 day stop-over in New York before the race restarts and competitors sprint to Newport, Rhode Island. Once in Newport, skippers will race an inshore grand prix with a crew of six.

The 2012 race will showcase the some of the top Class40 sailors in the U.S. and world as they complete the 3-leg event. The 2012 race will test the skills of the sailors as they’ll be challenged in multiple ways. The first will be the longer off-shore leg which will require skippers to navigate the always challenging Cape Hatteras. The second challenge will be on the sprint leg from New York to Newport. As competitors approach Newport, they’ll have to decide which direction to go around Block Island. And the third challenge will be to switch their boats into an inshore mode and race with a crew of six when they arrive in Newport. The combined overall winner of all 3 stages will be the very crowned Atlantic Cup Champion.

Additionally, The Atlantic Cup, with the help of 11th Hour Racing’s sponsorship, will again be one of the most environmentally sustainable races in the United States. The Atlantic Cup will again be run as a Clean Regatta and boats will utilize hydro-generators and bio-diesel for power.

The Atlantic Cup will attract thousands of families and sports enthusiasts from local and surrounding communities. Additionally, The Atlantic Cup will draw professional sailors, crew and their families from North America and Europe. Manuka will create an exciting event surrounded by a race village where spectators can engage with the boats and sponsors. Some highlights of the race will include:

• Four 2-3 day, double-handed off-shore races from city to city
• 2 days of in-shore buoy racing in Newport, RI
• 1 day of Pro-Am racing in New York City
• Up to the minute on-line race tracking
• Major online video presence as well as television recap shows