PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Three decades after Newport, R.I., lost sailing’s most storied race, the city will host an America’s Cup World Series regatta next summer.
The event will be held June 23 to July 1 and is expected to feature top international sailors ahead of the 2013 America’s Cup race in San Francisco.
Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY’-fee) announced the event Friday. Chafee said the competition will boost tourism and showcase Newport’s beauty and sailing heritage.Newport hosted the America’s Cup for decades until the 1980s and was a contender to host the 2013 America’s Cup.
Held in cities around the world, the World Series regattas feature short races designed for fans to watch from shore.
Officials say about 20,000 local hotel rooms will fill up with the event.
