KINGSTON, R.I., — Nov. 9, 2018 — The University of Rhode Island will host members of the new U.S. America’s Cup team, New York Yacht Club American Magic, as they gear up for a 2021 challenge to bring home the Cup. Team representatives will be on campus for a community-wide event on Nov. 13.

The America’s Cup, first contested in 1851, is the world’s premier sailing competition, and the oldest trophy in international sports. The race showcases both superior sailing skill and innovative yacht engineering and design.

The New York Yacht Club, based in Newport, Rhode Island, will be represented by the sailors of American Magic in the next edition of this prestigious event. Newport is considered the yachting capital of the world, due, in large part, to the New York Yacht Club’s possession of the America’s Cup from 1851 – 1983.

The University of Rhode Island is pleased to host key team members from American Magic at this community event. Skipper and Executive Director Terry Hutchinson will attend alongside two URI alumni who are part of the team, Chief Operating Officer Rob Ouellette and design team member Andrew Gaynor.

Tuesday, November 13, at 7 p.m.
Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road
URI’s Kingston Campus

Team representatives will participate in a discussion about the America’s Cup, its history, its ties to Rhode Island, and the exciting new U.S. challenge being mounted by the New York Yacht Club. Action video of the team’s training operations this season in Rhode Island and additional perspectives from URI ocean engineering and sailing team representatives will be shared at this event.

A number of the greatest yachts designed to compete for the America’s Cup were built in Bristol, Rhode Island, including VIGILANT, built by N. G. Herreshoff in 1893. With the assistance of Rhode Island’s world-class marine manufacturing and composites industry, American Magic will stay true to this tradition and will build its racing boats in Bristol starting in late 2018.

The media is invited to attend this community event. The master of ceremonies for the evening will be Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, Rhode Island’s public sailing center.