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For the first time since the inaugural event in 2009, the fleet of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup will reach the start line without the defending champion, shaking up the shape guide as teams and sailing fans turn to towards the start of the first sail. Big Corinthian Boat Competition September 14 in Newport, RI.
Re-entry issues and strict quarantine protocols linked to the COVID pandemic have forced clubs in Asia, the Antipodes and Europe to refuse their places in the regatta. The absence of the reigning champions of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (AUS), as well as a trio of clubs that have sailed in each previous edition, has created opportunities for new international entrants and a handful of busy American yacht clubs. of high level amateur talent.
“Although the COVID pandemic has made organizing an international sports competition more difficult than ever, it has nothing to do with the hard work done every day by frontline healthcare professionals around the world. They have our enduring gratitude, â€said Robbie Benjamin, event president.
“We started this year with a superb entry list of 20 yacht clubs from around the world. This has changed frequently over the past six months, but we are extremely proud that 19 teams have committed to travel to Newport to compete.
“All the former champions will compete in 2021 except Royal Sydney. The seven US clubs are a high for this regatta, but historically the national teams have done well, and we expect the level of competition to be equal to, if not higher, than at any previous edition. ”
With the defending champions absent, the 2019 San Diego Yacht Club finalist (above) is an obvious choice. Led once again by former US varsity caps Tyler Sinks and Jake LaDow, the team have the experience and talent to win, and the confidence to know they were only one break away from winning this regatta. in 2019.
Four clubs that have already won this regatta – the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, the Royal Thames Yacht Club and the Southern Yacht Club – must also be considered favorites.
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club is the only two-time Invitational Cup champion. The team’s preparation for 2021 included training and participating in the 25th edition of the Canada Cup, the first match-racing trophy in the Great Lakes.
A 6-0 win over Youngstown Yacht Club (Youngstown, NY) seems a strong indication that the RCYC team will come to Newport with good momentum. But skipper Terry McLauglin was unwilling to don the yellow of the pre-race favorite.
“I expect to [the competition] be as tough as ever, â€said McLaughlin, who won a silver medal at the 1984 Olympics.“ I don’t mean we’re super prepared. We are reasonably prepared, but we haven’t raced in a fleet and we haven’t sailed to Newport.
McLaughlin’s team are a combination of the old guard, including two teammates from the 1983 America’s Cup Canada I campaign, and the next generation of RCYC sailors, like Lance Fraser, 28, and Mariah Millen, who will sail with his dad.
“Our squad is identical to the 2019 Invitational Cup squad except for the mainsheet trimmer,†said McLaughlin, who led Royal Canadian to fourth in 2019. “Certainly for everything. the world, they are much more used to the IC37 this year. . In 2019 we had people in key positions on the boat who hadn’t really sailed much on big boats and learned quite quickly.
New competitors from the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club in Canada, Howth Yacht Club in Ireland, Noroton Yacht Club and American Yacht Club in the United States add an element of mystery to the pre-race discussion. Each team brings a collection of talented amateur sailors to the event. But how much they can assimilate to the IC37 and the regatta’s unique format won’t be known at least until the first race kicks off on September 14th.
Event Info – Entry List – Facebook – Youtube
The Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is a biennial regatta hosted by the New York Yacht Club Harbor Court in Newport, RI. Since the event was first held in 2009, it has attracted top amateur sailors from 45 of the world’s most prestigious yacht clubs from 21 countries.
After five editions in the Swan 42 class, the 2021 event will be the second to be contested aboard the IC37, designed by Mark Mills. The strict one-design nature of this specially designed class, combined with the fact that each boat is owned and maintained by the New York Yacht Club, will ensure a level playing field not seen in any other amateur sailing competition on large boats.
The races will take place September 14-18 with a live stream on Facebook and YouTube, starting September 15. Nineteen teams from nine countries will compete in 2021.
Source: NYYC
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