Going green to win America's Cup

The America's Cup is one of the world's oldest sporting events, dating back to 1857, when the term 'climate change' wouldn't have even been considered.

But now one of the challengers for the world's most famous match race, Team Origin of the UK, will compete under the "Race for Change" banner in order to highlight the negative effect that climate change is having on our planet.

Team Origin was founded in 2007 by Sir Keith Mills who has been preparing an assault on the famous trophy, but one that will have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than its rivals.

According to reports, Team Origin will be world's first major sports team to promote a climate change message, and hopes to wrest the America's Cup back to Britain.

"We are thrilled to announce 'Race for Change' backed by our partnership with the Carbon Trust," said Sir Keith Mills.

"The sport of sailing provides an intrinsic fit with the growing environmental consciousness of today. Race for Change will use the power of sport to communicate an important and urgent message about the need to reduce carbon emissions.

"We hope to attract commercial partners that see this as an opportunity to showcase and build on their own commitments to the sustainability agenda," explained Sir Keith.

Four time Olympic medallist and the skipper of Team Origin, Ben Ainslie, had this to say: "It is very important for us to make a contribution towards tackling climate change. The unique nature of our sport shows how we harness the elements of nature to create excellence in performance.

"Obviously for me this is also all about winning the America's Cup for Great Britain. We want to win smart - to prove the competitive advantage of a sustainable approach, bring the Cup back home and, at the same time, deliver an important message to the world," stated Ainslie.

If Team Origin's carbon-reduced assault on the trophy was successful, it could have a profound effect for not only sailing, but other sports as well.

For more information on the Race for Change, see the Team Origin website.