America’s Cup 12 Meter Racing Coming to Gansett

On June 21, America’s Cup racing history will come to life off the coast of Narragansett Town Beach.

Famed 12-meter yacht America’s Cup winners and contenders will race again in the first ever South County 12 Meter Regatta. This event promises to be an exciting kick-off to the international racing that will begin on June 23 in Newport.

The South County 12 Meter Regatta has come to life through an unprecedented collaboration of local town governments, business groups, town committees and the tourism industry.

The towns of Narragansett and South Kingstown’s community leaders have planned this event as a celebration of storied yacht racing past. A historical display of photographs, memorabilia and artifacts will be available during the event for the public to enjoy. The event also boasts a reception to be held at the historic Towers as well as local food vendors and music.

The committee anticipates a very well-attended event, drawing spectators from all over Rhode Island, New England and beyond. Viewing of the regatta will be spectacular along Ocean Road and the Narragansett sea wall, Veterans and Gazebo parks, and from Narragansett Town Beach.

“We’re not only offering folks a chance to watch the race, we’re also offering sponsors a chance to actually crew one of these spectacular yachts,” said Myrna George, the president of The South County Tourism Council. “We expect to attract visitors from near and far. South County’s 12 Meter Regatta should get everyone into the mood for a summer of sailing.”

Supporting corporate sponsors were invited to place 12 lucky guests aboard a classic America’s Cup 12 meter yacht as crew for an exhilarating regatta in Narragansett.

You’ve seen these legendary yachts compete for sailing’s most coveted prize, the America’s Cup. Now feel the thrill of competing on board one of these powerful and graceful sailboats in picturesque South County! For our South County 12 Meter Regatta, we’ve rounded up a team of six classic and traditional 12 meter yachts.

• American Eagle, Ted Turner’s famous champion and the 1964 Cup Contender.
• Nefertiti, designed by Ted Hood.
• Intrepid, two-time defender of the America’s Cup. Columbia, winner of the 1958 America’s Cup.
• Northern Light, trial horse for three of the America’s Cup defenses.
• Weatherly, the only vessel in history to win the Cup without doing so when new.

Corporate sponsors include Newport Fed, Civic Capital Group, Perry’s Neighborhood Bar & Grille, The Mariner Grille, Holiday Inn South Kingstown, The Mews Tavern, MAKO Surgical Corp., the Matunuck Oyster Bar, Padgett Business Services and Whale Rockers.

A regatta reception at the Towers includes premium viewing of the race from inside the Towers along with culinary delights provided by the Coast Guard House Restaurant. A limited number of tickets are available for $50 at www.southcountyri.com. Click on the button labeled ‘South County Regatta Reception.’

Additional partners include the Narragansett Lions Club, Coastal Properties and Diprete Engineering, along with many local businesses participating as vendors in the Festival Field.

The glistening, aqua Intrepid aside the stunning, red American Eagle is certainly something to see from shore! See you at the wall!

For more information about the event, contact Maureen Crowley, Town of Narragansett EDC Coordinator, at (401) 782-0651 or mcrowley@narragansettri.gov.