Atlantic Cup to be first carbon neutral sailing event in the U.S.

by Jeff Pomeroy on 20 Apr 2012 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/ and include:

Atlantic Cup Off-Shore Commitments:
• Teams will use at least one alternative fuel source to charge batteries to power all the on-board electronics while offshore: eg., fuel cells, solar panels and/or hydro-generator.
• Some fuel is needed to run the engine, getting to and from the docks, and Newport Biodiesel will provide biofuel for the fleet to use in their engines.
• The Atlantic Cup is a plastic water bottle free event. All teams will use water from their water tanks and reusable canteens.
• All teams will recycle any waste from the offshore and inshore portions of the race.
• All teams will use only environmentally friendly cleaning products to wash down and clean their boat.

Atlantic Cup On-Shore Commitments:
• The 2012 Atlantic Cup carbon footprint will be calculated prior to the race start. Based on these calculations and a post-race assessment, carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates will be purchased and retired with support from Green Mountain .
• 100% post-consumer recycled paper has/and will be used in the Manuka Sports Event Management offices and all event packets, tickets and handouts.
• Zip 2 Water will provide an onsite water filling station in each city for teams and guests to fill their canteens. No plastic water bottles will be sold or available.
• Recycling stations will be set up in all three marinas and at all hospitality parties. Only glassware or biodegradable plastic will be used at hospitality events.
• Local area students will attend an educational workshop to meet the teams, tour the boats and to learn about how making small differences in our everyday lives contributes to a greener healthier planet for everyone.

Competition Schedule:
• May 11 - Depart Charleston, South Carolina, for double-handed (two people on board) 645 nautical miles from Charleston to New York Harbor, New York around the challenging Cape Hatteras
• May 18 - Compete in a one day Pro-Am race in New York Harbor
• May 19 - Depart New York Harbor with double-handed 260 nautical miles from New York to Newport
• May 26 - Two days inshore fully crewed (six people on board) buoy racing held over the weekend of May 26 in Newport, RI
• May 27 – Event finish - party and award presentation at Newport Shipyard

Teams that have announced their entry into The Atlantic Cup include:
No. 30 – Initiatives – GBR Emma Creighton and Jorge Madden
No. 54 - Dragon – USA Michael Hennessy, Merf Owen (Leg 1) & Chris Museler (Leg 2)
No. 73 - Toothface – USA Mike Dreese and Ken Luczynski
No. 85 - Groupe Picoty – FRA Jacques Fournier and Jean Christophe 'JC' Caso
No. 90 - 40 Degrees – GBR Hannah Jenner and Peter Harding
No. 101 – Campagne De France – FRA Halvard Mabire and Mirranda Merron
No. 105 – Eole Generation – GDF Suez – FRA Sebastien Rogues
No. 106 - Gryphon Solo 2 – USA Joe Harris, Tristan Mougline (Leg 1) & Jeff McFarlane (Leg 2)
No. 109 – Talan-Bureau Veritas – FRA Stephane Le Diraison
No. 113 - Partouche – FRA Christophe Coatnoan and Ari Sebag
No. 115 - Mare – GER Jörg Riechers and Marc Lepesquex
No. 116 - Icarus Racing – USA Tim Fetsch and Ben Poucher
No. 118 - Bodacious Dream – USA Dave Rearick and Matt Scharl

To make The Atlantic Cup more accessible to fans around the world, each boat will have at least one camera on-board to produce video and social media content as the race unfolds, including race highlights, recaps and interviews on the race’s official YouTube channel. Atlantic Cup website