Newport recently played host to the 12 Metre Worlds. Here, American Eagle sails into the inner harbor. Does it get any better than that?
NEWPORT, R.I. – Reflecting on the debate over who should lay claim to the title of Sailing Capitol of the World, one of the attributes rightfully ascribed to Newport’s favor is the presence of the New York Yacht Club and its summer clubhouse, Harbour Court.
Tucked neatly into the southeastern corner of Newport Harbor, just adjacent the esteemed Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the NYYC boasts a membership list that’s a virtual who’s-who of sailing, and its influence in attracting sailors from around the globe to Newport cannot be underestimated.
Nowhere was that more evident than in the recently completed 12 Metre World Championships.
The NYYC's Harbour Court is one of Newport's most influential sailing hubs.
Boasting a larger fleet than the 1983 America’s Cup, the Twelves came back to Newport in full force last month. With them, came a distinguished contingent of owners, crew, and sailing enthusiasts.
For five days, they sailed and they celebrated. And it all began and ended at NYYC’s Harbour Court.
In all, 17 12 Metres back to town and the skippers were greeted at registration and an opening reception held in Station 10. An elegant Regatta Dinner was also held at the clubhouse, with a North Sails sponsored 12 Metre Legend Forum moderated by Gary Jobson wrapping up the week’s events.
And while the International 12 Metre Association worked tirelessly to pull off the ambitious competition, in many ways, it was the NYYC that took center stage.
From the performance of the NYYC Race Committee led by Tinker Myles as Race Committee Chair, Dr. Robin Wallace as Principal Race Officer and Bob Conner as Chief Judge, to Regatta Co-chairs Jan Slee, Dyer Jones and Gary Jobson, all of whom are NYYC members, to the many NYYC members serving on volunteer committees, the event owed its success to the club’s membership.
NYYC's Bill Koch took top honors in the Grand Prix division aboard Kiwi Magic. (Photo by Amory Ross)
Delighting in it all were sailors from around the world, including William Borel’s Challenge 12 and its crew from France, and skippers and crews from Norway, England and Switzerland.
Several Aussies and Kiwis also made the trip, including current “sailing VIP” Russell Coutts of New Zealand.
All of this only goes to demonstrate that as far clout and international esteem, you’d be hard pressed to come up with a more vibrant international sailing destination than Newport.
To be sure, it’s not only the prestige that comes along with the NYYC that makes its presence in Newport so valuable, it’s also the quality of sailors that seek out the winds of Rhode Island Sound and Narragansett Bay that make this such a special venue.
In addition to their role in what can only be described as the roaring success of the 12 Metre Worlds, the NYYC also hosts its annual Race Week and the newly launched NYYC Invitational Cup.
Members of the NYYC take racing seriously. And again, that trait was on full display in the 12 Metre Worlds.
Consider the following:
- In the Grand Prix Division, America’s Cup winner and NYYC member Bill Koch took first place on Kiwi Magic (KZ 3), while the five boat Modern Division had two NYYC members winning trophies – Courageous (UA 26) skippered by Stephen Glascock in second, and Ernest Jacquet on Freedom (US 30) took third.
- The Traditional Division also had five competitors and NYYC members took the top two places. In first was American Eagle (US 21) with Charlie Milligan was at the helm with Duke Steineman and Carol Swift as co-charterers, while Clay Deutsch fought his way to 2nd Place with Weatherly (UA 17).
- Kip Curren earned the 2nd place trophy on Northern Light (US 14) in the beautiful Vintage Class, while Deutsch also won his Division in the Candy Store Cup and American Eagle won the Ted Hood 7 regatta series trophy.
Now, Newport has its share of vibrant and competitive yacht clubs. So too does Annapolis. But among ours is the burgee of the NYYC. And for our take, if the recent display at the 12 Metre Worlds is any indication, that should be more than enough to give Newport top honors among North American sailing cities.
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Newport, RI
