Atlantic Cup attracts largest fleet of Class40s to race in US

by Jeff Pomeroy on 4 May 2012 The 2012 Atlantic Cup presented by 11th Hour Racing, final international field of 14 Class 40s from the USA, France, Germany and Great Britain has been announced.

The race features the largest fleet of Class 40s ever to race in the United States.

Several accomplished skippers have recently joined the field including Ryan Breymaier (Mare - GER), Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron (Campagne De France – FRA) and Jesse Naimark-Rowse (Talan-Bureau Veritas – FRA). They are amongst other top class 40 skippers who will set sail from Charleston, S.C. on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. ET en route to New York Harbor for the second leg and a Pro-Am event (May 14 - 19), before departing on May 19 at 11 a.m. ET on the final leg of competition.

The annual event culminates in Newport, R.I. with two days of Inshore racing (May 26 – 27).

Some of the accomplishments of the Skippers include:

• Ryan Breymaier - Breymaier is an accomplished IMOCA60 and MOD70 sailor. He placed fifth in the Barcelona World Race and won the Fastnet on board the MOD70 Veoila. An American from Maryland, Breymaier will race with Jörg Riechers for the Charleston to New York leg of the race.

• Halvard Mabire and Miranda Merron - Mabire has over 300,000 miles of offshore experience which includes 5 Whitbreds, 32 Transatlantic races and a victory in the first edition of the Mini Transat. Merron has been racing professionally for the past 14 years and her resume includes the Volvo Ocean Race, Route du Rhum and the Quebec-St. Malo. Campagne de France’s duo of Mabire and Merron joined the Atlantic Cup after retiring from the Global Ocean Race.

• Jesse Naimark-Rowse – Naimark-Rowse is the youngest American to complete the Mini Transat and also placed third in the 2011 Transat Jacques Vabre. Another American from Boston, MA, Naimark-Rowse will race with Stephane Le Diraison on TALAN-Bureau Veritas.

Teams confirmed to compete in The Atlantic Cup include:
#17 Transport Cohérence – FRA Benoît Jouandet & Jorge Madden
#30 Initiatives – GBR Emma Creighton and Rob Windsor
#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 Miranda Merron
#105 Eole Generation – GDF Suez – FRA Sebastien Rogues and Jeff McFarlane
#106 Gryphon Solo 2 – USA Joe Harris and Tristan Mougline
#109 Talan-Bureau Veritas – FRA Stephane Le Diraison and Jesse Naimark-Rowse
#113 Partouche – FRA Christophe Coatnoan and Ari Sebag
#115 Mare – GER Jörg Riechers and Ryan Breymaier (Leg 1) & Charles Euverte (Leg 2)
#116 Icarus Racing – USA Tim Fetsch and Ben Poucher
#118 Bodacious Dream – USA Dave Rearick and Matt Scharl

Event organizers also announced two beverage sponsors today: Pabst Blue Ribbon and Doublecross Vodka. Pabst Blue Ribbon has joined the international event as its official Beer Sponsor, which includes an onsite presence at the conclusion of each leg of the competition. Doublecross Vodka has also come aboard to support the Newport, R.I. prize giving on May 27.

Atlantic Cup please website