2011 Canada’s Cup Competition – Day 1
The first day of the highly anticipated Canada’s Cup international match race sailing competition was delayed due to lack of wind. Team Heritage of Macatawa Bay Yacht Club is defending the cup against Team Vincere, representing the Royal Canadian Yacht Club of Toronto, Canada. Heritage defeated Team Convexity of the Chicago Match Race Center last weekend in the Defender’s series by a final result of five wins and one loss.
At approximately 10:00am, the two competitors, race committee, race support boats, and approximately fifteen spectator boats left Holland harbor, heading to Lake Michigan in anticipation of the first day of the Canada’s Cup match race sailing competition. Canada’s Cup racing rules require a steady wind in a consistent direction with a minimum wind speed of 5-6 knots to initiate the pre-race sequence. When a late afternoon breeze failed to materialize, the Race Committee postponed racing until tomorrow.
Race officials moved up the start of racing tomorrow by 30 minutes to allow for the possibility additional racing. The first race is will now start tomorrow at 10:30am. Winds are forecast to be strong, bringing excellent racing conditions. Racers and spectators alike are anxious to get the competition underway.
The final racing results for the series will be posted on the Canada’s Cup website http://www.canadascup2011.us/ . Video clips of the event will also be available on http://www.canadascup2011.us/ .
About The Canada’s Cup
The 115-year-old Canada’s Cup is the most preeminent sailing trophy in the United States today, and shares more than looks with her better-known sister, America’s Cup. Both are named after the original racing yacht that first defended them – the Royal Canadian Yacht Club Canada won the inaugural match in 1896 on the waters of Lake Erie. Since then, 22 match races have been run with Canada winning nine and the United States winning 13. For more information about Canada’s Cup 2011, visit www.canadascup2011.us .
by Mary Devries
