Artemis Racing's Charlie Ekberg will skipper in Naples. Photo:©2013 Artemis Racing/Sander van der Borch

The final event of the 2012-2013 Americas Cup World Series will begin next week in Naples (ITA).  Artemis Racing White (with 120 points) is currently standing in third position overall in the series, just one point behind Luna Rossa Piranha who are in second and Oracle Team USA Slingsby in first with 165 points.  The scoring on Super Sunday however, will give the winner 40 points so anyone can still steal the show.  There are nine AC45s for the ultimate World Series event and they will race right off the shore, making it ideal for spectators.  The event will kick off with the teams participating in the Coast Parade Trophy hosted by the City of Naples this Sunday.

The ACWS Naples marks the first event for Artemis Racing's Swedish helmsman Charlie Ekberg (23) who will also be helming the Swedish Youth Challenge in the Red Bull Youth Americas Cup in San Francisco this September.  A Stockholm native, Charlie has been avidly sailing 49ers and has transitioned into the Melges 32 Class in order to prepare for this ACWS event as well as the Red Bull Youth Americas Cup. 

As the team back in Alameda continues to focus on the AC72 program, Charlie will be backed by AC45 veterans Troy Tindill (wing), Peter Merrington (tactician/floater), Anthony Nossiter (trim) and Matt Cornwell (bow) who are all AC45 veterans. 

"Charlie represents the future of high speed sailing in Sweden.  We are happy to give him the chance to get involved in the racing in this America's Cup as a step toward the future," said Paul Cayard, CEO of Artemis Racing.  "Naples is a fantastic venue for sailing and showed last year what great hosts they are and how excited they are about the America's Cup.  I am sure this year will be even better."

All members of the team here in Naples have been fantastic and helpful towards preparing me for what is to come next week.  I feel ready to go sailing.  Sailing with the highly experienced crew onboard Artemis Racing White will be important for not only this event, but also for Swedish Youth Challenge for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup explains Charlie.

Championship racing starts on Thursday, April 18th with both match and fleet racing scheduled.
See Naples 2013 Race Schedule

Current Standings

Team (Skipper) Points:
Oracle Team USA Slingsby (Tom Slingsby) 165 pts.
Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper) 121
Artemis Racing White (Charlie Ekberg) 120
J.P. Morgan BAR (Ben Ainslie) 116
Energy Team (Yann Guichard) 102
Emirates Team New Zealand (Dean Barker) 100
Luna Rossa Swordfish (Francesco Bruni)  71
China Team (Mitch Booth) 43
HS Racing (Roman Hagara) 0

---From Artemis Racing

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Additional Links and Info:

Visit CupInfo's ACWS Naples 2013 Main Page

Also:
Visit Artemis Racing website
 

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