FROM US SAILING: Bella Mente Quantum Racing, US Sailing Partner to Develop America’s Cup Team for NYYC and Promote Sailing in U.S.

February 3rd, 2018:

Focus on Reconnecting the America’s Cup to the U.S. Sailing Base and
Developing High Caliber Competitive Sailing Talent

NEW YORK, N.Y. (February 2, 2018) – Bella Mente Quantum Racing Association (“BMQRA”) and US Sailing today announced a broad partnership in support of the New York Yacht Club’s challenge for the 36^th America’s Cup to further improve the quality of competitive sailing in the United States and reconnect the American sailing base with sailing’s premiere event.

Under the terms of the agreement, US Sailing and BMQRA, which is representing the New York Yacht Club in its quest to reclaim the America’s Cup, will work together to identify, train and coach high-caliber, up-and-coming athletes in US Sailing’s pool of Olympic and other competitive sailors. US Sailing’s expertise will help BMQRA reach and recruit athletes with the potential to compete at the America’s Cup level and establish a world-class team capable of winning the competition. In turn, BMQRA will work with US Sailing to help develop and train a larger pool of U.S. athletes in order to further raise the overall quality of American competitive sailing. Together, both organizations will work to reconnect the sailing base in the U.S. with the America’s Cup and expand US Sailing’s membership and reach.

Hap Fauth, Principal and CEO of BMQRA, said, “BMQRA is focused on rebuilding the once deep connection between the American sailing community and the America’s Cup, and reaching and developing a new generation of U.S. sailors. As one of sailing’s greatest challenges, the America’s Cup represents a unique opportunity for us to help spark the resurgence of competitive sailing in the U.S. and we are confident that, by partnering with US Sailing, we can succeed both in our challenge and in reconnecting with the grass roots. I, along with our other principals, am proud of the team we are assembling and excited for what this campaign can mean for the future of American sailing.”

Terry Hutchinson, BMQRA’s Executive Director and Skipper, added, “Since its inception, US Sailing has been the most important organization promoting sailing in our country. From its youth programs through its Olympic Development program, US Sailing has been instrumental in identifying and training some of the most talented sailors in America. This partnership connects BMQRA with the best amateur sailing athletes in our country and we are excited for the opportunity to work with US sailing, both to help raise more Americans to the top level of competitive sailing and further add exceptional talent to our process-focused, results-driven team.  There’s still a tremendous amount of work to be done, but we’re excited for what’s ahead.”

Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Sailing, said, “The America’s Cup has always captured the attention of the American public and sailing community and we need to do more to keep them engaged.  With BMRQA’s focus on connecting with the grass roots, the 36^th edition represents an opportunity for us to re-energize the broad base of American sailing. We are excited to work with BMRQA as they assemble and develop a world-class team to bring the Cup back to its home.  We also look forward to their support of our mission to promote the sport of sailing throughout the U.S. Their active participation with us will be instrumental in our outreach to our members, yacht clubs and other sailing organizations as we reconnect these groups with the America’s Cup and work to increase the caliber of U.S. competitive sailing.” 

About BMQRA
Formed in October 2017, Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club joined together to create BMQRA. BMQRA brings together two highly successful racing programs with one of the foremost yacht clubs in the nation, all with the shared vision of launching a campaign for the 36^th America’s Cup competition, reconnecting the American sailing base with sailing’s premier event and elevating the quality of competitive sailing in the United States. The syndicate intends to develop and support a team that will participate in the America’s Cup competition and the Challenger Selection Series competitions that lead up to it. BMQRA is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

About the New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 when nine New York yachtsmen met aboard John Cox Stevens’ yacht and a year later its original clubhouse was built in Hoboken, New Jersey. The Club’s Annual Regatta was first run in 1845. The Club was the keeper of the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1983, and it organized the first transatlantic race in 1866. The Club maintains two exquisite clubhouses, on 44th Street in the heart of New York City, known for its Model Room and extensive nautical library, and Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., which annually hosts some of North America’s most prestigious sailing events, including the Annual Regatta, Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and the Queen’s Cup. www.nyyc.org

About US Sailing
The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the National Governing Body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org.

Media Contacts

BMQRA
212-687-8080 / media@bmqrac36.com

New York Yacht Club
Stuart Streuli
401-608-1128 / streulis@nyyc.org

US Sailing
Jake Fish
401-342-7925 / JakeFish@USSAILING.ORG