Dennis Conner International YC Challenge - Melbourne teams compete

by Simon Grain/J/24 Australia on 13 Aug 2014 Mr J24, a.k.a. Hugo Ottoway and friends are currently in the big Apple preparing to sail in the Sixth Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge.

This follows on from the team from Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron sailing in the same regatta last year. Competeing this year are two teams from RMYS again – the crews are: Peter Yoon, Allicia Rae, Kathleen Mackian, Jade McDonell, Craig Nobbs, Cherry Birch, Hugo Ottoway, James Torode and Sean Bly.

There are 20 teams from all round the world so it is a real micro world champs set in the famous river area around the Statue of Liberty with the buildings of Manhattan as a backdrop.

Of course we wish them well in their competition, I gather the trick is to sail the river current more so than the wind. Hugo told me before he went that the plan is to copy the locals in the first couple of races and then kick some butt, so we are expecting a decent result from the master, who incidentally fell off a ladder recently and still hasn’t got full use of his right arm back yet. Here are a few points from the NOR to give you the picture.

Purpose of Event: The purpose of the Dennis Conner International Yacht Club Challenge is to bring together yacht clubs from around the world to promote international goodwill through friendly competition. This is an invitational regatta. Any yacht club can request an entry.

Yachts and Equipment: This regatta will be raced on identical J/24 sailboats provided by the Manhattan Sailing Club. The club will provide all sails, sheets and other racing equipment. Teams must use the equipment provided. No additional boat equipment may be brought aboard by any teams. Teams will switch boats after each race.

Schedule of Events:

Wednesday, August 13, 2014
1200-1800 – Champagne rides to the Statue of Liberty when your team arrives. 1800 – Welcoming Reception on floating clubhouse in harbor (optional)

Thursday, August 14, 2014
1100 – Practice Sailing 1400 – Practice Race 1800 – Opening Ceremony

Friday, August 15, 2014
1100 – Race 1 followed by Races 2 and 3 1800 – Regatta dinner and party

Saturday, August 16, 2014
1100 – Race 4 followed by Races 5 and 6 1800 – Regatta dinner and party

Sunday, August 17, 2014
1100 – Race 7 followed by Race 8 1800 – Dinner and Awards Ceremony

Racing Area:
Races will be held in New York Harbor. The scenery is spectacular with the skyline of Manhattan on one side and the Statue of Liberty on the other. The start and finish of all races will be from the Manhattan Sailing Club’s floating clubhouse which is permanently anchored north of Ellis Island.

Courses:
Courses will be windward-leeward. Inflatable marks will be set by Race Committee. Because the starting location is fixed, races may start in any direction, including upwind or downwind.

Local Representative:
In addition to your crew, one Local Representative will sail on each boat. The 'Local Rep' will provide local knowledge and a VHF radio to communicate with the Race Committee. Local Reps will stay with the boat while racing teams rotate.

Spectators:
All races will be run from the harbor clubhouse and spectators are invited to watch. The clubhouse can hold up to 149 people and transportation is provided by club launch.

So lets see how they go. You can go straight to their website here.

Maybe next year you want to enter a team – I am told that it is a great time over J24 wbesite