Chafee Makes Bid for Preliminary America’s Cup Races
GoLocalProv News Team
Chafee Makes Bid for Preliminary America’s Cup Races
Rhode Island may have lost out in its 11th-hour bid to host America’s Cup in Newport, but Governor Lincoln Chafee yesterday remained optimistic that the Ocean State could still host one of the pre-regatta races.
Chafee made the case for Rhode Island in a meeting with Tom Ehman, a representative of BMW Oracle, a sailboat racing syndicate that is hosting America’s Cup. “No formal agreement was reached,” said Christian Vareika, a spokesman for Chafee. “Everyone just reaffirmed optimism on both sides that it will happen.”
If it does, the pre-regatta races could be held as early as this September. Vareika said how much the event will cost the state as well as how much of an economic benefit it could bring has not yet been determined.