The Chico connection

The 34th annual America’s Cup sailboat race, which is taking place this year in the San Francisco Bay, launching on July 4 with an opening ceremony followed by its challenger series, has a Chico connection.

This year, Klean Kanteen has been named Official Water Hydration Solution and Sustainability Supplier for the nearly three-month-long event, and will be in charge of water-hydration stations dispensing local tap-water to discourage spectators from using single-use plastic water bottles.

The company, founded in 2004 by local artist/inventor Robert Seals and now operated by brother-and-sister team Jeff Cresswell and Michelle Kalberer, sells reusable stainless-steel water containers.

“Klean Kanteen will support our Healthy Ocean Project campaign that encourages America’s Cup spectators to give up their plastic bottles by providing a convenient, sustainable alternative,” said Jill Savery, head of sustainability for America’s Cup.