America's Cup and ISAF to support youth sailing
by 35th America's Cup 25 Jul 2015 16:32 BST
25 July 2015
The America's Cup and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) are supporting youth sailing with major investments in two youth sailing programs © Chris Burville / ACEA
The America's Cup and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) are supporting youth sailing with major investments in two youth sailing programs – one in Bermuda and one international.
In a new first, the entire sanction fee for the 35th America's Cup will be split equally between ISAF's international youth sailing charity and the America's Cup youth sailing program in Bermuda.
As the international governing body for the sport of sailing, ISAF will continue to sanction the America's Cup and its constituent events, comprising the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs and the America's Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton. ISAF will administer an anti-doping program as well as approving the race officers, the umpires and the racing rules.
ISAF CEO Peter Sowrey said, "ISAF is pleased to continue its association with this great event, and as always we will look forward to watching the teams battle to win the oldest trophy in international sport.
"A real positive to come out of our relationship is the shared desire to invest the sanction fee into something that both ISAF and the America's Cup believe strongly in: the next generation."
"All of our teams wanted to contribute to the growth of our sport at grass roots level," said Regatta Director Iain Murray, "so it was critical for us that the sanction fee should be wholly re-invested in youth development initiatives – both locally in Bermuda, the home of the 35th America's Cup, and internationally across the global sailing community.
"This is good for everybody: having ISAF officials and rules for the America's Cup helps to ensure a fair competition for the competitors. And investing in the next generation means we can do more than inspire kids to start sailing; we can actually contribute to making it happen."
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Portsmouth is the first event of the 35th America's Cup. Racing begins this weekend.
View the ISAF Racing Rules of Sailing (America's Cup) [PDF]