(Cowes, Isle of Wight, England)- This year the Royal Yacht Squadron,
founded in 1815, achieves its bicentenary. To mark the occasion, the
Squadron is hosting an invitational regatta to bring together as many
clubs and friends as possible from around the globe, who share their
common interests and love of sailing. The event takes place from the
25th - 31st July.The RYS has planned a week of challenging on the water activities and numerous spectacular social gatherings to complement them. These will take place in the evenings after the sailing has finished both at the Castle and other notable venues nearby. There are different sailing events planned to both attract and test the many disciplines enjoyed by sailors.
Twenty-five yacht clubs have been invited to take part and will join the Royal Yacht Squadron for five days of spectacular racing in a 200-strong fleet, including modern and classic boats racing under IRC, J/70s, and up to five J-Class yachts.
“Our aim is to make sure owners and crews will leave at the end of the event with many happy memories. Participation in the International Bicentennial Regatta will help forge stronger ties between our clubs,” commented Chris Sharples, the RYS Commodore.
Founded on June 1st 1815 at the Thatched House Tavern in St James Street London, the Squadron was originally called “The Yacht Club”. It attracted royal patronage in 1817 when the Prince Regent, later King George IV, became a member. In 1833, King William IV renamed the club “The Royal Yacht Squadron” (R.Y.S.) declaring his “gracious approval of an institution of such national utility” for its role in supporting the Royal Navy and the maritime trades of Britain.
Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert became Patron of the R.Y.S, and his son, the Prince of Wales, was Commodore for 18 years (1882-1900). King George V, also a keen yachtsman, was Admiral of the Squadron throughout his reign. The present Admiral, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, was Commodore from 1961 to 1968.
Throughout its 200 years, the Squadron’s contribution to yachting has been unique, starting with its role as the leading club in the establishment of sailing as a sport in the years 1815-1850. The 1851 race for the 100 Sovereign Cup– later renamed the “America’s Cup”– was organized by the Squadron, as were several later challenges. The Squadron, through its affiliate Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Ltd, is making a new attempt to win the cup in 2017 with a team led by Sir Ben Ainslie.
In the 19th century, Cowes became a “home” of the British sport of sailing (like Lords, Wimbledon, Newmarket or Henley). It was also the center of the European social world during regatta week, particularly in the years 1850-1914. The RYS continues to play a leading role in Cowes Week and other local regattas that make a much needed financial contribution to the Isle of Wight economy.
In recent years, the Squadron has placed greater emphasis on encouraging younger sailors through its April Training Week in J/109s for those aged 16 to 20 and the RYS Sailing Academy program for those aged up to 30 using the new fleet of J/70s. To create a lasting legacy as part of the bicentenary celebrations in 2015, the Squadron members are contributing to a new charity, The RYS Isle of Wight Foundation. The charity will provide financial assistance to educate and train young individuals who live on the Isle of Wight and seek a career connected with the marine industry.
As part of the Bicentenary Regatta, the fleet of new J/70s will be used for 2-on-2 team racing- a very exciting form of team racing since “last loses” every time. The confirmed list of entries in this particular event include the host RYS team, the New York YC, Germany’s Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, the Royal Ocean Racing Club, the Royal Southern YC, the Royal Thames YC, St Francis YC from San Francisco, CA, the YC Costa Smeralda from Porto Cervo, Sardinia, the YC de France and also Oxford University.
On the IRC fleet racing side of things, there are 35 boats representing the 25 invited clubs. The Royal Hong Kong YC entry is the chartered J/122 JACOBS LADDER sailed by a team of RHKYC members. They are led by J/109 WHISKEY JACK owner Nick Southward, a boat with a reputation as a strong competitor in regattas and races in the waters off Hong Kong and Southern China and in the South China Sea.
Back in Hong Kong, Southward’s WHISKEY JACK has had recent notable achievements including winning the IRC division of the 2015 San Fernando Race, the 2014 China Cup International Regatta, and placing second in the 2014 China Coast Regatta. He says "The Regatta provides an exceptional occasion for the skipper and crew to represent the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club at this major international competition in waters that hold fond memories for a number of those aboard. We are looking forward to experiencing sailing together in the tough conditions of the Solent against stiff competition from around the world, and equally to enjoying the celebratory atmosphere of the event." For more Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary Regatta sailing information
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