New York Yacht Club World Invitational Cup

by Barby MacGowan on 26 Aug 2008 New York Yacht Club (NYYC) Commodore Charles H. Townsend announced today the inaugural New York Yacht Club World Invitational Cup, an invitational fleet-racing regatta. Its essence is to bring together amateur yacht-club teams to compete against teams from around the world. The sailing will be tough and demanding, allowing each club to demonstrate the skills of its top sailors.

Commodore Townsend remarked, 'This event will once again bring the Corinthian spirit to the forefront of the sport, and enable us to share the excitement of sailing on the waters of Rhode Island Sound.'

Invitations have been sent to many of the world’s most prominent yacht clubs to compete in this first biennial event, to be held September 15-19, 2009 at Harbour Court, the NYYC’s on-the-water clubhouse in Newport, RI. (A preliminary list of invited clubs can be found at www.nyyc.org/worldinvitationalcup ).

The NYYC World Invitational Cup is for Corinthian (amateur) sailors representing their yacht clubs and their nations. Said Vice Commodore David K. Elwell Jr., 'This is a unique opportunity for team development around the world, and we anticipate seeing many leading young sailors competing for this magnificent trophy and enjoying the chance to race at one of the pre-eminent yacht clubs.'

Racing on Rhode Island Sound will utilize the newly developed NYYC Swan 42 fleet, and we anticipate that many teams will bring their own boats in which to compete. Other teams will have the opportunity to charter boats through the Club.

Prizes will be awarded to the top-three teams, and the winning yacht club's name will be engraved on the NYYC World Invitational Cup that will be permanently on display at New York Yacht Club’s 44th Street Clubhouse in Manhattan.

The entry deadline is November 1, 2008, Yacht Clubs providing their own boats will be accepted for entry into the regatta. The Organizing Authority will award spots to other clubs based upon the availability of charter boats.

'We expect the New York Yacht Club World Invitational Cup to be a friendly competition between the world’s most prominent yacht clubs,' said Commodore Townsend.

Full details can be found at www.nyyc.org/worldinvitationalcup