New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup

 

New York Yacht Club Website

 

NEW YORK INVITATIONAL CUP  7th -14th  September 2013

 Newport, RI, USA, October 25, 2011 -- "Fantastic..." "Outstanding..." "Exceeded all expectations..." "A true world-class event." These are just a few of the comments of competitors and spectators at the 2011 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex. The biennial event is hosted by the NYYC in Newport, Rhode Island in September at its Harbour Court Clubhouse. New York Yacht Club Commodore Robert C. Towse Jr. announced that the third biennial Invitational Cup will be held September 7-14, 2013. Rolex will again be the presenting sponsor. Photos Rolex/Kurt Arrigo

The Invitational Cup is a regatta for yacht clubs from around the world and their sailors. It has become an important Corinthian (amateur) sailing competition. The racing is in NYYC Swan 42s - the eighth one-design class created by the New York Yacht Club since 1900.

In the inaugural NYYC Invitational Cup presented by Rolex in 2009, 19 yacht club teams from 14 countries, from four continents competed. The second Invitational Cup in 2011 included 22 yacht club teams from 16 nations from six continents. The team from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, skippered by Terry McLaughlin, won the 2011 event; the New York Yacht Club with skipper Phil Lotz won the 2009 event.

 The Royal Canadian Yacht Club (CAN) has accepted the challenge to defend in 2013 their win of the 2011 NYYC Invitational Cup. The Royal Thames Yacht Club, London are sending a team to challenge them!

The Venue:

Newport RI - The City by the Sea

Its deep natural harbour and easy access to open-ocean racecourses make Newport an ideal venue for all types of competitive sailing all year round. It has been the waterside home of the New York Yacht Club since the NYYC's foundation in 1844.

The first view of Harbour Court is simply breathtaking. Described in the NYYC's brochure as a "Renaissance, Norman-style mansion", it was completed in 1906 for a gentleman who subsequently became a commodore of the Club and acquired by the Club in 1988. It is, even by Newport standards, enormous, but elegant and set in beautifully manicured grounds. 

 The Boat:

The NYYC Swan 42, designed by German Frers, is a pretty impressive boat but then, as someone remarked, "What do you expect for a million dollars - and that was for a job lot." The original brief was for a performance one-design keelboat that needed to score well under IRC, be sturdy enough to race offshore and be easily converted into a comfortable cruiser that could be handled by a couple. They wanted a boat that could be raced hard by amateurs, "creating a class that fostered Corinthian competition". The rules stipulate that each boat should carry a maximum of two Category 3 (professional) sailors and that no one can be paid to race.

For this competition, the boats - all lent my members of the NYYC - have been optimised and the settings tagged. Sails have been provided for this competition only. It is a true one-design test.

 The Entries:

To be confirmed

 RTYC Crew List:

William Edwards - Event Manager