RCYC launches new Canada’s Cup program

Rendering Melges

 

Dec 14, 2017

Toronto’s RCYC has launched a three challenge vision incorporating a new yacht type. The Canada’s Cup Committee, meeting with interested parties including RCYC, international competitor clubs and a broad range of enthusiastic individuals on Saturday, December 9 undertook to build on the Cup’s history to further strengthen an exciting globally recognized international challenge series.

There are several key commitments including a schedule of three predictable competitions in 2020, 2022 and 2024 all hosted at RCYC, the club that is custodian of the Cup. The Canada’s Cup Committee has selected the NYYC Melges IC37 as the boat for these three dates..

The decision on the boat presents an exciting opportunity according to Allan Megarry, co-chair of the Canada’s Cup Committee who sees that selection will involve the maximum number of potential competitors while providing modern, exciting racing. “Of course there was a lot of nostalgia for using 8-Metres but by choosing a new, readily available design, we can bring the interested players to the event,“ explains Megarry. Support from Melges and the synergy with NYYC will add to the Cup’s prominence.

First contested in 1896 the Cup was fought between American and Canadian crews in 8s from 1930 to 1954 then in a variety of more modern designs including Farr 40s until the 8 was reprised in in 2016. Harry Melges, who took part in the December 9 meeting describes the IC37 as “a strict one-design class of this size, designed and built to accommodate a wide spectrum of crew skills, targeting Corinthian sailors of the world.”

At the meeting, there was a significant level of enthusiasm from clubs on both sides of the US-Canada border including a firm commitment from several teams.

Megarry who with committee of five is quarterbacking the Cup plans sees a broad range of opportunities for related youth and “warrior” events, meaningful sponsorship and the chance for boaters and the Canadian public to add the events to their calendar to make it a spark for interest in competitive sailing at a top level.

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