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11th Hour Racing, Green Mountain Energy and Manuka Sports Event Management partner to create first carbon neutral sailing race in the United States.

With less than a month until the start of the second annual 2012 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing, Manuka Sports Event Management, is pleased to announce their ecological plans to run the first carbon neutral sailing race in the United States during its three legs of competition; Charleston, S.C. (May 11) to New York Harbor (May 14-19) to Newport, R.I. (May 26-27). The Atlantic Cup’s carbon neutrality initiatives will be supported by Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation’s longest serving green power retailer. The race features an international fleet of 13 competitors, with teams from France, England, United States and Germany all slated to be on the start line for what will be the largest fleet of Class 40s ever to race in the United States.

The 2012 Atlantic Cup carbon footprint will be calculated prior to the race start by Green Mountain. Based on these calculations and a post-race assessment, carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs) will be retired in order to offset emissions associated with the event, such as staff air travel, ground and water transportation, staff hotel stays, and event electricity usage

“It's been a challenging endeavor to organize and run a carbon neutral sailing race, and it’s possible in large part to the continued support and guidance from 11th Hour Racing and partnership with Green Mountain, said Hugh Piggin, Manuka Sports Event Management Founder and Atlantic Cup Race Director. “As sailors, we are all intimately involved with the oceans and environment and it is our goal as organizers of a major U.S. sailing event to set forth a good example to the wider sailing community in the hopes that more events will follow in our footsteps.”

“We are excited to work with Manuka. The Atlantic Cup represents the model for sailing events to come: focusing on the adventure and skill of the sailors and their interaction with the waters they sail in, and making smart choices for the Oceans that are smart on the race course,” said Jeremy Pochman, Director of 11th Hour Racing.

“The Atlantic Cup and Green Mountain share a common appreciation for the power of wind and commitment to innovation and sustainability.  The dedication to environmental stewardship from Manuka Sports Management and 11th Hour Racing has raised the bar for regattas and events in general,” said Scott Hart, president of Commercial Solutions, Green Mountain.

The Atlantic Cup’s Green Initiatives, which includes for the second year in a row, being a certified Gold Level Clean Regatta through the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas Program, can be found at http://atlanticcup.org/green-initiatives/.

 

Teams that have announced their entry into The Atlantic Cup include:
#30 – Initiatives – GBR                Emma Creighton and Jorge Madden
#54 - Dragon – USA                Michael Hennessy, Merf Owen (Leg 1) & Chris Museler (Leg 2)
#73 - Toothface – USA                Mike Dreese and Ken Luczynski
#85 - Groupe Picoty – FRA            Jacques Fournier and Jean Christophe “JC” Caso
#90 - 40 Degrees – GBR                Hannah Jenner and Peter Harding
#101 – Campagne De France – FRA        Halvard Mabire and Mirranda Merron
#105 – Eole Generation – GDF Suez – FRA    Sebastien Rogues
#106 - Gryphon Solo 2 – USA            Joe Harris, Tristan Mougline (Leg 1) & Jeff McFarlane (Leg 2)
#109 – Talan-Bureau Veritas – FRA        Stephane Le Diraison
#113 - Partouche – FRA                Christophe Coatnoan and Ari Sebag
#115 - Mare – GER                Jörg  Riechers and Marc Lepesquex
#116 - Icarus Racing – USA            Tim Fetsch and Ben Poucher
#118 - Bodacious Dream – USA            Dave Rearick and Matt Scharl

Source : www.AtlanticCup.org