Last year's finalists, Williams and Richard, among early entrants in race for $35,000

HAMILTON, Bermuda (Aug. 2, 2007) — With additional support from new sponsors Correia Construction, Ace Limited and a group of Royal Bermuda Yacht Club members, Les Crane, Event Organizer for the King Edward VII Gold Cup, announced today that the event prize purse has increased to $100,000.

The centennial anniversary Gold Cup, scheduled Oct. 9-14, has 20 of the 24 skipper slots allocated. Early entries include last year's finalists, England's Ian Williams of Team Pindar and France's Mathieu Richard of the Saba Sailing Team. Williams defeated Richard, 3-1, last year in the first Gold Cup final for both skippers.

Williams won $25,000 for his efforts last year, but this year the winner will receive $35,000.

America’s Cup personality returns to site that sparked a career!

HAMILTON, Bermuda (July 30, 2007) — Tucker Thompson, who provided on-the-water commentary of the 32nd America’s Cup Match for the sports network Versus, will be the featured commentator for the centennial anniversary of the King Edward VII Gold Cup trophy, scheduled Oct. 9-14.

Thompson, of Annapolis, Md., is the owner of T2Productions, a production and online broadcasting company for sailing and marine-related shows that broadcasts sailing coverage on demand at http://www.t2p.tv. Thompson, who sailed the 2000 America’s Cup challenger trials with U.S. syndicate America True, is also a professional sailing commentator, racing sailor and performance sailing coach.

Thompson’s commentary career sprouted roots during the Gold Cup in 1996. Thompson and British skipper Andy Green, with whom he was racing, sat on the lawn at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and said to each other, “We can do this commentary stuff.” Some 11 years later the two were reunited during the America’s Cup Match in Valencia as commentators for Versus.