Soiland Cup Match Race Report

For the second time this year I sit at Louis Armstrong International Airport having just taken part in an excellent regatta organised by Southern Yacht Club for the Soiland Cup.

The trophy was a gift from Newport Harbor YC in honour of Albert Soiland from Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

Ten teams competed for the Soiland Cup this year.

Boston YC

Bay Waveland YC

Buccaneer YC

Larchmont YC

Newport Harbour

New York YC

Royal Thames YC

San Diego YC

Southern YC

St Francis YC

We were hoping to have a practise in the morning of the regatta but this was not possible as the wind was too strong as the first northerly depression came in - also reducing the temperature from the high 70's to the low 60's.

The winds abated slightly and racing began on time at 13:00 in what many described as survival conditions - surfing down the waves in the Flying Scots was memorable.

Day two brought more favourable conditions with wind about 15 knots and kites came out to play.

In the evening, the formal event dinner was held with some excellent food and good company and ended in the traditional Southern way with each team having to tell a joke.

One full round robin was completed (forty five races) before the teams were divided into gold and silver leagues - the gold league sailed two round robins and the silver one.  Overall seventy five races were sailed.

At the end of the event Southern Yacht Club came out on top narrowly beating Larchmont on count back with New York in third.

Thanks to all at Southern Yacht Club for running an excellent regatta - they did a great job in hosting teams - I understand that 54 team members were hosted!  RTYC were hosted by Rev Jean Meade and special thanks to Jean for making us feel at home in the lovely Garden District of New Orleans.

A special thanks to the three Southern members (Debbie, Will and Forrest) who joined the RTYC team for this event.

I look forward to 2011 and returning once again to challenge for the Soiland Cup.

RTYC team

Oli Dix - Helm

Judith Sasse

Will Nunn

Henry Arnold - Helm

Murray Chapple

Forrest Richards

Hannah Diamond - Helm

Thomas Brennan

Debbie Willits