Royal Thames Cumberland Cup — 09 May '12

09 May –13 May

The teams are confirmed for the bi-ennial inter-club team racing challenge and the only international yachting event held in the Capital

London. Home to Britain's Royal Family, national art collections, museums,  a host of major attractions - and the oldest yacht club in the Kingdom.  London's rich history, striking architecture and over 200 museums offer a unique cultural experience. Add to that the spur of a high-level two-boat team race competition in J/80 keelboats, a wealth of international competitors and a social programme that includes a Royal reception (literally), accommodation in the fashionable West End, informal drinks, a formal dinner and still leaves time to enjoy the capital's special attractions - this is an event not to be missed.

With clubs from Germany, USA, Australia, Monaco, Ireland and the UK all vying to enter, sadly the RTYC was unable to accept them all.

The eight confirmed teams for the 2012 event are: Eastern Yacht Club (Marblehead, MA), New York YC, Seawanhaka Corinthian YC (Long Island), Southern YC (New Orleans), Royal Northern & Clyde YC (Scotland), Royal Perth YC (Australia), Island Royals (a combined team from Royal London YC, Royal Corinthian YC and Royal Yacht Squadron) and the Royal Thames YC.

CLICK HERE FOR THE NOTICE OF RACE

Social Events and Event Programme    While all the sailing will take place at our London base on Queen Mary reservoir, hard by Heathrow airport in west Greater London, the social epicentre of the Cumberland Challenge will be our Clubhouse in Knightsbridge. Competitors and supporters will naturally be welcome at all times in the clubhouse, and we hope you will make yourselves at home. Registration will take place on Wednesday in the Club's Library, followed at 1900 by a Skippers' Briefing in the model room, which houses one of the world's most significant collection of yacht half-models, tracing the evolution of yacht design from the mid-Nineteenth century through to the present day.  Following the Briefing there will be a welcome reception and buffet supper. The Regatta Reception is on Thursday evening, Friday leaves you free to enjoy the attractions of London and the Regatta Dinner is on Saturday.  Throughout the week, of course, the Clubhouse will be open for dinner and lunch for those not involved in the sailing at Queen Mary.

Each visiting team will be allocated a Team Host who will be able to liaise, advise and present a friendly face and ready source of information on all aspects of the event, as well as helping organise day activities for non-sailing team members.

Accommodation   We have some 30 bedrooms available in the Clubhouse itself, from pleasant 3-star en-suite double bedrooms overlooking Hyde Park to smart single-occupancy cabins in which Cumberland Cup competitors may stay at the same rates as our own members. In addition the Clubhouse is convenient to a wide variety of hotels.

Transport London is a city well-supplied with public transport and taxis - and not a venue where one would recommend hiring a car. Knightsbridge is about 40 minutes from the Queen Mary and on racing days we plan to have transport between the two venues.  However the Clubhouse is adjacent to Knightsbridge Underground Station which is on the Piccadilly Line and has excellent links to other places of interest. Transport around London  is very simple on buses, the underground - famous world-wide as The Tube - and by taxi.  London Transport operates a prepaid  ‘Oyster' travel card, without doubt now the most popular way for Londoners themselves to get around the city, which can be bought from underground stations, newsagents and local stores at a cost of £13 and come charged with £10 pre-paid fares, after which they can be loaded with any amount from £5 to £90.  These cards are swiped in and out at the entrance and exit to each station or as you get on a bus and the cost of the journey - typically £1.50 to £2.50 depending on journey distance, deducted from the card. 

The Cost Each J/80 carries a crew of four including helmsman so for the eight sailors of the team the event entry fee of £2,000 works out at just £250 per person. This includes:

            four days of top-level international sailing competition;

            the Welcome Party and opening supper;

            the Official Reception;

            the Regatta Dinner at 60 Knightsbridge;

            the Prize-giving BBQ and party at Queen Mary.

For an entry application form contact sailing@royalthames.com