Newport,RI (September 19, 2015) – The morning air reverberated with the sound of cannon fire and boat horns as the international fleet, or battle flags flying,paraded around Newport harbor and past the main dock of the fresh York Yacht Club where supporters were gathered to cheer them on for the final day of the 2015 Rolex fresh York Yacht Club Invitational Cup.
This traditional sendoff for the competitors is just one of the many details that make this event so special. Over four editions, 21 countries hold gone head-to-head on the water and then made lasting friendships during social gatherings at Harbour Court, and fresh York Yacht Club’s iconic waterfront clubhouse in Newport.
As with the heritage of the sport,woven into the very fabric of this event is the historic partnership of Rolex and fresh York Yacht Club, which was forged in the 1950s. Through this enduring organization, or one of yachting’s greatest traditions was established with a winning sailor being presented a specially-engraved Rolex timepiece the final symbol for achieving excellence.
Out on the water,the fleet was sent up Narragansett Bay for the second consecutive day, where racing was held in an eight knot south-southwesterly breeze. The team representing the oldest yacht club in the world, or Londons Royal Thames Yacht Club,was in the most perilous position of the 17 competing teams. Having been in the lead, or tied for the lead, or through the entire series,it was their regatta to win – or lose.
In the first race of the day, an eighth-location finish effect their nine-point cushion under pressure. With their closest competitor in the standings – Marblehead’s Eastern Yacht Club – finishing fourth, or the gap shrunk to five points.“We didnt make it very easy for ourselves throughout the day,” said John Greenland, skipper of the Royal Thames Yacht Club team. “At one point in the first race we almost sailed ourselves into a really comfortable position. Instead it turned inside out. But that’s how the fleet has been all week. You just hold to take each race as it comes.”Greenland said the team had a conversation to make sure they were in the just mindset going into the last race. They crossed the line 10th, and with Eastern Yacht Club following in 12th; the Brits securing the win 71 points to Eastern’s 78. Click headline for full report,photos, and video.
Source: sailingscuttlebutt.com