BROWN & SHARPE ADVANCES TO PREMIER PARTNER LEVEL SPONSOR WITH GROWING COMMITMENT TO THE NYYC/YOUNG AMERICA CHALLENGE

Brown & Sharpe, the world's leading manufacturer of dimensional metrology equipment, has increased its commitment to the New York Yacht Club/Young America Challenge, stepping up its initial support of the America's Cup team. Brown & Sharpe is now a Premier Partner level sponsor, the top level of corporate support. Brown & Sharpe's logo will be displayed on the mainsail of the Young America racing boats. The Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Races for the America's Cup begin October 18.

Brown & Sharpe, headquartered in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, manufactures equipment that measures the size and shape of objects. Virtually every industry in every country uses Brown & Sharpe measuring products to verify the quality of their products.

As part of their sponsorship, Brown & Sharpe manages a manufacturing consortium of companies which are building the appendage packages for the team's two America's Cup racing boats. The appendage package includes the keel fin and tab, bulb, winglets and rudders. These are the underwater components attached to the hull to provide stability and hydrodynamic side force to balance the aerodynamic sail forces as well as directional control. Brown & Sharpe is managing the construction and is funding the manufacture of the appendages. In addition, Brown & Sharpe's precision measurement capabilities have been used to ensure the shape of the appendages and were applied throughout the construction of the two Young America hulls to ensure the accuracy of the construction.

"With Brown & Sharpe's measurement technology, we were able to improve the accuracy of the hull shape during the construction process," said John Marshall, President of the NYYC/Young America Challenge. "USA 53 and USA 58 are probably the most precisely built America's Cup boats ever made," Marshall said.

"In addition, Brown & Sharpe's contacts within the manufacturing community matched us with resources that offered a wide range of manufacturing capabilities. Brown & Sharpe has been a partner in the truest sense," Marshall said.

"This is an opportunity for Brown & Sharpe to showcase its leading edge technology to the world and to help NYYC/Young America regain the Cup for the United States and Rhode Island," said Frank Curtin, President of Brown & Sharpe.

This is not the first time that Brown & Sharpe has had a role in the America's Cup. In 1875, Brown & Sharpe began a close relationship with the technologically innovative America's Cup designer and builder Captain "Nat" Herreshoff of Bristol, RI. The unique technology developed by Brown & Sharpe helped Herreshoff produce every America's Cup winner from 1893, with Vigilant through Resolute in 1920. Since 1983 when Australia II won the Cup with the winged keel, it has been recognized that the keel is often the secret weapon of a Cup campaign. The keel affects the stability of the boat, its ability to sail close to the wind, and the amount of drag through the water. If the team wins in New Zealand, the New York Yacht Club will stage the next America's Cup in the waters off Rhode Island. The America's Cup left Rhode Island when Australia beat the United States in 1983.

The NYYC/Young America Challenge is supported by both corporate sponsorships and tax-exempt contributions made by private individuals. Corporate sponsors are Air New Zealand, the team's preferred international airline; Breitling U.S.A. Inc., the Swiss watch manufacturer; Brown & Sharpe, the world's leading manufacturer of dimensional metrology equipment; Helly Hansen, the worldwide leader in performance outdoor apparel; Scot Forge, an international open die and rolled ring forging leader, Yachting Magazine, the world's leading marine magazine that covers power and sail; Yale Cordage, the international leader in the manufacture of technologically advanced braided rope for yachting applications, and Wallenius Wilhelmsen Lines, the world's largest provider of vehicle and roll/on, roll/off transportation and logistics services. Official Suppliers include Allan Scott Wines, Bell Gully, The Boston Beer Company, Farr Yacht Design Ltd., Goetz Custom Sailboats, Hall Spars, Kitty Hawk Cargo,
Mercury Marine, Mesa Systems Guild, Mustela USA, Orrick, Herrington, & Sutcliffe, Team McLube, Team One Newport, U.S. Paint Corporation, and Vosaic.

The NYYC/Young America Challenge is dedicated to winning the America's Cup through technological innovation, teamwork and a total commitment to success.

Its effort will represent the entire country through an alliance of distinguished Partner Yacht Clubs. For more information, visit the Young America web site at www.youngamerica.org.

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