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Rod Johnstone's Band Wagon at the New York Yacht Club Race Week presented by Rolex.
Photo: Dan Nerney/Rolex.
NEWPORT, R.I. (January 23, 2008) -- Next summer, as Newport, R.I. becomes the epicenter of summer racing activities for sailors from across the nation, the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) will run its sixth biennial Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex. Slated for July 19-27, 2008, the popular regatta offers a new twist to its split format, giving classics their own spotlight over the weekend of July 19-20 during the club's 100th birthday celebration of America's legendary yacht designer Olin J. Stephens. For Race Week at Newport's second session -- from Thursday, July 24 through Sunday, July 27 -- up to 200 modern racing machines will converge on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound for IRC, PHRF and one-design competitions. The event is part of the 2008 US-IRC Gulf Stream Series, and at least three one-design classes--the NYYC Swan 42s, J/109s and Melges 32s--will use the event to determine their 2008 North American or National champions.In addition, the event will double as the J/105 East Coast Championship and the Beneteau First 36.7 Northeast Championship.
"The two sessions offer serious competition on the water," said NYYC Sailing Committee Chairman Steven Wolff, explaining that in addition to windward-leeward courses, a distance race around Conanicut Island will be included for many classes, adding to the unique challenges and epic beauty of a racing arena that from 1930 to 1983 hosted the America's Cup and continues to make Newport one of the country's most popular sailing destinations.
"The plan also includes continuing Race Week's tradition of good times ashore," added Wolff, "with massive tent parties planned on the lawn at Harbour Court, which holds a commanding view of the sunset over Newport Harbor. In the past, we've had the handicap sailors competing in the first session and one-design sailors competing in the second, but now those two groups will sail on the same days and won't miss each other back at the club for social events."
The S&S-designed classic Black Watch -- formerly Edlu II -- sails at the NYYC Race Week at
Newport Presented by Rolex in 2006. The 68-footer, built in 1938, is skippered by Lars Forsberg.
Michael Levitt/New York Yacht Club.
The classics event will be an extravaganza unto its own, bringing together some of the sport's most awe-inspiring yachts, including classic yachts, America's Cup 12-Metres, and historic Sparkman & Stephens (S&S) designs that comprise the unmatched legacy of Olin Stephens, who is Member #1 on the NYYC’s seniority list, having joined the club in 1930. "Though he is humble about anyone celebrating his life, Olin plans to participate in the regatta and festivities," said Wolff. "The guests at this celebration are sure to be the many luminaries in our sport whose lives have been touched by him."
The New York Yacht Club's Race Week at Newport falls in the month after the Newport Bermuda Race and before the Lightning North Americans and the Leukemia Cup, all of which are supported by NYYC. Rolex timepieces will be awarded for best overall performances in Classics, IRC, PHRF and One-Design divisions.
Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of NYYC events since 1994.
For more information, visit www.nyyc.org or contact the New York Yacht Club Sailing Office, Harbour Court, 5 Halidon Avenue, Newport, R.I. 02840; phone 401-845-9633; fax 401-846-3303; email sailingoffice@nyyc.org.
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