NYYC Invitational Cup - Impressive lineup prepares to race

by KPMS on 30 Jul 2013 The third edition of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) Invitational Cup is coming up and an impressive collection of crews from the world’s most famous and influential yacht clubs are currently preparing. Taking place from 7-14 September at Harbour Court, the New York Yacht Club’s summer home in Newport, Rhode Island, this biennial event is held in high esteem for its promotion of Corinthian, one-design sailing.

The event format requires that each competing yacht club team sails a uniform NYYC Swan 42: rigs are identically tuned and sails are provided by the organizers. The truly international fleet hails from five continents, from as far afield as Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. Starting as the defending champion is the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, winner of the competition by a massive twenty points in 2011 under the leadership of 1984 Flying Dutchman Olympic Silver Medallist Terry McLaughlin. Their closest challenger was the inaugural winner and host, the New York Yacht Club.

In an event where the emphasis is firmly on the skill of the competitors to determine the results, Corinthian ideals and nationality also play key roles. The crews are limited to non-professionals and all but two must be nationals of their Club’s home country. The Royal Cork Yacht Club can draw on its experience from both the 2009 and 2011 events to help drive its campaign. Skipper Anthony O’Leary, is clear on the most significant factor in doing well: 'Good old-fashioned one-design skill and teamwork is of paramount importance at this event. We rely on the Technical Committee to equalize the boats, leaving us sailors without excuses if we don’t perform.'

Meanwhile, the Yacht Club Argentino, which competed in 2011, can count not only on prior experience and the expertise of the crew, but the firtsthand knowledge of its member Germán Frers, the very man who designed the Swan 42.

Among the clubs invited to compete for the first time are the Royal Belgian Sailing Club, Australian entrants Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club and Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, as well as the Royal Southern Yacht Club from the United Kingdom.

The first of five scheduled days of racing takes place on Tuesday, 10 September. The final Awards Banquet, where the triumphant crew will recieve the NYYC Invitational Cup Trophy and a Rolex timepiece, will be held after racing on Saturday, 14 September.

By country, the roster of participating teams is: Yacht Club Argentino (ARG); Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (AUS), Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (AUS); Royal Belgian Sailing Club (BEL); Royal Canadian Yacht Club (CAN); Nyländska Jaktklubben (FIN); Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (HKG); Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL); Yacht Club Italiano (ITA); Japan Sailing Federation (JPN); Real Club Náutico de Barcelona (ESP); Royal Swedish Yacht Club (SWE); Royal Southern Yacht Club (UK), Royal Thames Yacht Club (UK), Royal Yacht Squadron (UK); Larchmont Yacht Club (USA), New York Yacht Club (USA), San Francisco Yacht Club (USA), and Seattle Yacht Club (USA).

Event Schedule

Saturday 7 September – Monday 9 September - Registration

Monday 9 September - Opening Ceremony and Reception Hosted by Nautor’s Swan

Tuesday 10 September - Race Day 1

Wednesday 11 September - Race Day 2

Thursday 12 September - Race Day 3

Friday 13 September - Race Day 4

Saturday 14 September - Race Day 5

Awards Banquet Hosted by NYYC website