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America is on an extensive tour of the Gulf and East coasts and the Caribbean to raise awareness of the 2017 America’s Cup defense in Bermuda, and the vessel will be docked at Southport Harbor for just 24 hours. The schooner, captained by Troy Sears, is a near perfect replica built in 1995 at a cost of more than $6 million.
Beginning at approximately 9 a.m. on Sunday, America will glide down Southport Harbor, giving residents and members of the public a rare photo opportunity as the boat passes the village’s Ye Yacht Yard at the end of Harbor Road and then Perry Green, ultimately coming to rest in front of Pequot Yacht Club.
From 1-3 p.m., the public will have the unique opportunity to board the boat at Pequot Yacht Club and learn the history of the original racing yacht, which beat a fleet of Britain’s finest and launched the America’s Cup 165 years ago. The tour is free, but donations are welcome and will support America’s mission to spark excitement about the latest America’s Cup racing and to engage the next generation of sailing fans by highlighting the technologies that have elevated the sport to its present state.
In 1851, the original America won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s race around the Isle of Wight. That “100 Guinea Cup” was officially renamed “The America’s Cup” — not for the country but for the boat. The winners of the 1851 race, members of the New York Yacht Club, donated the trophy to their club to be held as a “challenge” trophy, which was successfully defended by the U.S. until 1983, and remains the longest winning streak in sporting history.
The Pequot Yacht Club is located at 669 Harbor Road, Southport.
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