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.

Related Articles

Video Gallery

New Boats: Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 – A Sleek, Good -Looking Delight To Sail

By Katherine Stone

There is nothing more that I enjoy than being with friends and messing about in boats. Messing about in brand-new boats on a champagne sailing day on Lake Ontario at the beginning of the summer doesn’t get any better. To have the new owner, Helmuth Strobel and Anchor Yachts dealer Pancho Jimenez aboard made it even more special, as they can also speak to what they truly enjoy about the boat. We keep our own boat in a harbour that has a long waiting list for boats over 35 feet, so this little gem would definitely fit the bill and feels like a much bigger boat. True to the spirit of the 7th generation Oceanis line, the 34.1 is built in Poland and replaces the 35.1. It is 1,000 lbs lighter, 14 cm narrower and has 29% more sail area.

Read More

Destinations

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has Reopened

Peter Island Resort in the British Virgin Islands has opened its rebuilt and re-envisioned luxury private island in 2024 after the property closures from the Virgin Islands’ 2017 hurricane season. Peter Island Resort has been undergoing its transformation for over six years. Its evolution includes brand new and upgraded accommodations and new state-of-the-art facilities and five stellar beaches amid hundreds of acres of unspoiled tropical island.

Peter Island Yacht Club

The new Yacht Club will be a must on the itineraries of sailors, boaters and yachtsmen with a marina that can accommodate a range of vessels from power boats, sailboats and catamarans, to super yachts of up to 200 feet. Located in Sprat Bay harbor, the Yacht Club will be its own destination with a dedicated swimming pool for Yacht Club guests, Drunken Pelican restaurant and bar, a commissary, Sea Chest Boutique and a sports recreation area with pickleball, basketball and bocce ball courts and a lawn-games area. To protect the coral reef and marine life surrounding the island, moorings will be located in White Bay, Sprat Bay, Deadman’s Bay…

Read More

Lifestyle