Officials gather info for Newport race

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) - Thousands are gathering in San Diego, Calif. this week for the third leg of the 2011-2012 America's Cup World Series, and among them are three Rhode Island officials.

Governor Lincoln Chafee sent three of his advisors across the country Tuesday to gather information about how the event is being handled.

Newport was chosen to host the final leg of the America's Cup World Series in June 2012, the last of the preliminary races before the 2013 America's Cup Regatta in San Francisco.

"The America's Cup races in San Diego offer Rhode Island a unique opportunity to observe how such an event is successfully managed," said Governor Chafee in a news release.

The delegates chosen to make the trek were Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation (RIEDC), Janet Coit, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) and Richard Licht, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Administration (DOA).

All three were instrumental in bringing America's Cup racing back to Rhode Island, and will be in California from Tuesday, November 15 to Thursday, November 17.

"The AC World Series in Newport will be bigger than any other America's Cup race that has ever taken place in Rhode Island, so getting a first-hand understanding of how another city has handled infrastructure preparations and event-day logistics is vital to making it a success here," said Stokes in a news release.

Chafee's advisors will be meeting with San Diego and race officials to discuss the different components involved with hosting this type of race, including parking, public transportation, public safety and facilities for the race teams.

"Like San Diego, Newport is a world-class venue for a world-class event and as the America's Cup excitement builds in Rhode Island, we need to ensure that we are taking all the necessary steps and learning as much as we can about all the planning needs that will help us host a successful event on a global stage," said Licht in a news release.

Next year's race is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors to Rhode Island.