Literal Storm Provides Brief Calm Before Figurative One
An unscheduled day off in the midst of a weeklong regatta is always a nice chance to recover. When it gets announced at 5 pm the day prior, it’s truly a gift. Saturday afternoon, with a solid day of practice in the rearview mirror and a forecast for 30-plus the following day, the Race Committee for the 2021 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup made the decision to cancel all sailing activity for Sunday. The net result was a 24-hour furlough for the 166 sailors competing in the sailing’s premiere Corinthian championship.
Once the schedule change was announced, the big question was what to do with the time. Golf was brought up. Newport’s always good for sightseeing, or shopping. One unnamed sailor didn’t bother weighing the options. “I think we’re going to go big tonight,” he said in the lilting brogue of his native land. While this regatta prides itself on the high standard of organization and competition, it’s always worth a reminder that the participants are Corinthian sailors, taking time away from work and family to compete. In other words, the whole experience is supposed to be fun. And in Newport there are few things more fun than a Saturday night on the town.
The Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is a biennial regatta hosted by the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court in Newport, R.I. Since the event was first run in 2009, it has attracted top amateur sailors from 48 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 sailed in the IC37, designed by Mark Mills. The strict one-design nature of this purpose-built 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 big-boat sailing competition. The regatta will run from Saturday, September 11, through Saturday, September 18, with racing starting on Tuesday, September 14. A live broadcast on Facebook and YouTube, starting on Wednesday, September 15, will allow fellow club members, friends, family and sailing fans from around the world follow the action as it happens. Nineteen teams from nine countries will compete in 2021. The 2021 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is brought to you by title sponsor Rolex and regatta sponsors Helly Hansen and Hammetts Hotel.
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