Man takes home America's Cup for $20

(WPRI) -- The America's Cup World Series is underway in Newport, after the opening ceremony kicked things off at Fort Adams State Park last night.

The race begins today, and eight of the top crews in the world, representing six countries, will begin their quest for the coveted America's Cup.

But one Johnston man says he got one...for $20!

Billy Vigeant, of Johnston, was at the Salvation Army when he spotted an interesting-looking urn for a great price.

Later, after showing the urn to a friend, he was told that his newly-acquired decoration was actually the America's Cup.

Vigeant later found a picture of a similar-looking piece in an auction book, and it sold for more than $30,000!

Vigeant stopped by the Rhode Show set with the trophy, along with local antique appraiser Steve Fusco to confirm whether or not it's a replica of the cup.

Fusco said that Vigeant's trophy is not the same size as the real America's Cup, but in fact it's about two-thirds the size. As for what it's worth, he said that a lot more research must be done.

"It's difficult to put an actual value on it, it's what the market will bear," added Fusco.

Vigeant plans to take a trip to Newport to show the trophy to race officials with hopes of tracing its history.

Be sure to check out our America's Cup World Series photo gallery!