Atlantic Cup commences May 2014

by Julianna Barbieri on 22 Nov 2013 Manuka Sports Event Management is happy to announce the fourth running of The Atlantic Cup will kick off May 10, 2014 from Charleston, South Carolina. The Atlantic Cup is the U.S.’ only dedicated Class 40 race and is designed to grow the audience for short-handed, offshore racing with hard fought competition and exciting shore based events.

Held annually in May, the race travels the eastern seaboard stopping in Charleston, New York and Newport. Since its inception, 11th Hour Racing has been the Atlantic Cup’s presenting sponsor helping to grow it into the most sustainable sailing race in the United States. In addition, Manuka Sports is pleased to announce the creation ofWater Week NYC and Bay Weekend Newport as land based supporting events for the race, its fans, and to draw further attention water resources and challenges the Atlantic Cup visits.

Since 2011, with 11th Hour Racing’s support and Manuka Sports’ commitment, the Atlantic Cup has led the way in running a sustainable event. The Atlantic Cup features boats eliminating the use of plastic water bottles on board, utilizing hydro-generators and bio-diesel for fuel. Additionally, all on-site hospitality draws attention the race’s sustainability commitment with unique kid based programs, shoreline cleanups and evening events.

Following the success of Living on the Edge, The Atlantic Cup’s gala event in 2013, E3Think and Manuka Sports co-created Water Week NYC. Water Week NYC is the global platform to share and co-create innovative water solutions.

Stakeholders from the global water industry will gather at WWNYC for over 50 high-profile meetings and events to share business opportunities and showcase the latest water technologies on topics from marine plastics and sea level rise to supplying north China with water to urban water infrastructure challenges. Surrounded by a diverse group of business, government, arts and civil society players, Water Week NYC will culminate with the week's marquee events: Living on the Edge 2.0 and the start of the second leg of The Atlantic Cup, from Battery Park City.

Celebrating Narragansett Bay with a focus on community outreach and awareness, The Atlantic Cup is introducing Bay Weekend Newport. Bay Weekend Newport is an opportunity for local businesses and nonprofits to gather and engage the community with emphasis on sustaining Narragansett Bay. Of the many organizations already committed to supporting Bay Weekend, Clean Ocean Access, a Newport area volunteer based organization, is spearheading an Atlantic Cup course wide cleanup from the Pell Bridge to Beavertail (in Jamestown) and to Castle Hill (in Newport). Seeking 500 volunteers to assist in cleaning up Narragansett Bay's coastline, anyone interested in being involved can contact Clean Ocean Access by emailing dmclaughlin71@hotmail.com.

Manuka Sports Event Management Founder and Managing Partner, Hugh Piggin, stated, 'We are proud to have 11th Hour Racing as our presenting sponsor for a fourth year. With their help we have been able to build the Atlantic Cup into the premier U.S. offshore race with a powerful sustainability message. In addition to what promises to be a hard fought competition on the water, we are looking forward to our newly created land based events as there will be more ways than ever for our fans to engage with the Atlantic Cup website