Fidelity Sponsoring America's Cup

Submitted by Fidelity Investments:

Fidelity Investments will partner with the global America’s Cup World Series, when it concludes its first season in Newport at the end of June.

The Newport event village is open from June 23-July 1, with the AC World Series racing from June 28-July 1.

Newport marks the final stop of the 2011-2012 America’s Cup World Series, a six-stage championship spanning Europe, the United Kingdom and North America, where teams accumulate points at each stage in dual racing formats. The overall winner of the AC World Series will be crowned in Newport, an historic home for the America’s Cup.

“The AC World Series in Newport marks the climax of the first season of very close, competitive and compelling racing in the 34th America’s Cup,” said Stephen Barclay, interim CEO of the America’s Cup. “We’re very pleased to have Fidelity Investments join us in Newport for this milestone regatta. Fidelity has strong ties to the community and a legacy of achievement that makes them an ideal partner for the return of America’s Cup teams racing in Newport, which was home to the Cup from 1930 to 1983.”

Fidelity Investments is also the presenting sponsor of the AC World Series Newport Exploration Zone and the Volunteer Program. The Exploration Zone, located on the north lawn at Fort Adams, will offer an interactive experience for children and adults of all ages. 

“Fidelity Investments is proud to be part of bringing America’s Cup racing back to Newport and the state of Rhode Island after nearly 30 years,” said Ron O’Hanley, president, Asset Management and Corporate Services for Fidelity Investments. “The attributes and skills of a competitive sailor mirror those of a great investor. Both require strong leadership, detailed planning, disciplined behavior, a thirst for knowledge and a persistent pursuit of performance, which is why our employees are so excited to be partnering in this historic event.”

The racing schedule for the America’s Cup World Series Newport begins Thursday, June 28, and culminates July 1 with the ACWS Newport Fleet Racing Championship, a 40-minute race after which the first AC World Series Champion will be crowned. Racing on July 1 will be broadcast live, coast to coast, on NBC.

Nine crews from seven countries are competing in the 2011-12 AC World Series, including: Artemis Racing (Sweden), skipper Terry Hutchinson; China Team (China), skipper Phil Robertson; Emirates Team New Zealand (New Zealand), skipper Dean Barker; Energy Team (France), helmsman Loïck Peyron; Luna Rossa Challenge (Italy), with two boats, helmsmen Chris Draper and Paul Campbell-James; ORACLE TEAM USA (USA) with two boats, skippers James Spithill and Darren Bundock; and Team Korea (Korea) with skipper Nathan Outteridge.

Following on the most recent race results in Venice, Italy, the current AC World Series leaderboard has Jimmy Spithill’s ORACLE TEAM USA crew holding a four-point lead over Emirates Team New Zealand, led by Dean Barker. Artemis Racing, with Terry Hutchinson, is third.