FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Photo link

The Atlantic Cup Announces Three New Race Partners:
United Airlines Mileage Plus Exclusives, Hyatt Place Charleston and CODE-ZERO
 
Plus first two teams announced: Dragon Ocean Racing and Oakcliff Racing

NEWPORT, RI (November 1, 2017) – With preparations underway for the 2018 Atlantic Cup, Manuka Sports Event Management, organizers of the USA's toughest offshore race, are pleased to announce three new commercial partners, two teams and the release of the 2018 Notice of Race.
 
United Airlines Mileage Plus Exclusives, Hyatt Place Charleston and CODE-ZERO join as Official Partners for the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic dedicated to the Class40. The three new partners will provide a variety of opportunities for the race and its fans.
 
MileagePlus Exclusives provides program members with the top access to some of the world’s best events and experiences across the widest range of mileage levels and they’ll be offering a one-of-a-kind experience to race in the New York City Pro-Am and as a VIP in Portland.
 
Located in the heart of Charleston’s Upper King Historic District and within walking distance to attractions, historic homes and over 30 restaurants Hyatt Place Charleston joins the Hyatt Place Portland as the Official Hotel Partner for the 2018 race.
 
Nautical and lifestyle brand designed and endorsed by professional sailors, CODE-ZERO joins as the Official Apparel Partner for the 2018 race. Innovations inspired by Global Yacht Racing are applied on a crossover look between sport and casual wear integrating high performance wear into 24/7 lifestyle. 

In addition, official entries opened on October 16th and seven teams from the US and Europe have confirmed their entry, with a further three expressions of interest. The first two teams to be announced are six-time race veteran Michael Hennessy on board Dragon Ocean Racing and Oakcliff Racing and its youth team from Oyster Bay, New York. Race Organizers will continue announce the teams each month in the lead up to the start of the race.

Manuka Sports Event Management Co-Founder and Atlantic Cup Race Director, Hugh Piggin, stated, “The 2018 race is shaping up to be terrific both on and off the water. We’re really excited about the teams that have already committed especially Mike Hennessy on Dragon, who has competed for the title since day one. So, to have him back with his newly refit boat, is fantastic! Off the water, The Atlantic Cup continues to demonstrate its strength in providing commercial opportunities to a variety of partners. We couldn’t be happier to have United, Hyatt Place in both Charleston and Portland and Code-Zero with us.”

With over 1,000nm of ocean racing, the Atlantic Cup is the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic, the only race that includes both Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod and the only short-handed offshore race dedicated to the Class 40. The 2018 Atlantic Cup will start in Charleston, South Carolina May 26^th. The race will stop-over in Brooklyn May 28^th-June 2^nd before departing for Portland, Maine. The Atlantic Cup will wrap up in Portland June 4^th-10^th with a two-day inshore series. The Atlantic Cup has been carbon neutral since 2012 and was the first and is the only sports event in the U.S. to be ISO 20121 compliant.
 

###

ASSETS:        
The 2018 Atlantic Cup Press Kit is available HERE
For print quality images of the Atlantic Cup's Sustainability Initatives click HERE
For video of the Atlantic Cup, please click HERE

About The Atlantic Cup
The Atlantic Cup is a 3-stage, double-handed offshore race that spans the eastern seaboard of the United States. At 1,048 nautical miles it is the longest offshore race in the Western Atlantic. In addition, the Atlantic Cup is the only race to go include rounding both Cape Hatteras and Cape Cod.
The Atlantic Cup was created and is owned by Manuka Sports Event Management. It started in 2011 as a concept event and grew to a multi-stage race. Since its inception, the Atlantic Cup has been the most environmentally responsible sailing race in the United States and it is the first sports event in the U.S. to be ISO 20121 compliant.

The race is sailed solely in Class40s, a monohull race boat designed for shorthanded racing. The Atlantic Cup ran annually in May from 2011 through 2014. After 2014, the race moved to a biennial event. As of 2016, the Atlantic Cup’s stop-overs include Charleston, S.C., Brooklyn, N.Y. and Portland, Maine.

For more on the Atlantic Cup, visit AtlanticCup.org
 
     
 
For more information please on The Atlantic Cup please visit the Website at www.AtlanticCup.org