Friday 14 January 2011

America's Cup: Lieutenant Governor Newsom to Serve as Ambassador at Large to the America's Cup


Lieutenant Governor Newsom and the America's Cup. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

by Peter Rusch

“Gavin Newsom was the driving force behind the 34th America’s Cup coming to San Francisco,” said Russell Coutts, CEO, ORACLE RACING, the team owned by Larry Ellison that won the Cup for San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club in February 2010. “We expect the next America's Cup to attract fans from around the world and Lieutenant Governor Newsom will help ensure that the Bay Area will be presented in the best possible way."

As the first-ever Ambassador at Large for the America’s Cup, Newsom will support the America’s Cup Event Authority in its efforts to create a superior fan and participant experience both on and off the water. In addition, the Lieutenant Governor will help assist in attracting and welcoming visitors from other states and abroad to California and San Francisco for America’s Cup events.

“Gavin Newsom was instrumental in securing the 34th America’s Cup and his continued support and leadership will be instrumental to our success,” said Craig Thompson, CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority. “I look forward to working with him closely to extend the benefit of the America’s Cup across the state of California.”

The world-famous San Francisco Bay will be home to the 2013 America’s Cup Finals and the America’s Cup Challenger Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup, as well as an America’s Cup World Series event in 2012. This will be the first time the America’s Cup has been hosted in the United States since 1995.

“I could not be more pleased to continue my work on the 34th America’s Cup,” said Lieutenant Governor Newsom. “This event not only provides an opportunity rarely seen in the United States, to host a world-class sporting event that will put America in the global spotlight, but also will generate thousands of jobs and over $1 billion for the local and state economy.”

In the summer of 2011, America’s Cup teams will commence racing in the new America’s Cup World Series in the new wing-sailed AC45 catamaran. The America’s Cup World Series calendar of events will be published in early 2011.

America's Cup