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(London, England)- Yacht clubs from around the world were invited to the
Royal Thames YC’s biennial inter-club team racing challenge; the only
international yachting event held in the Capital. Teams of eight sailors
sailed matched J/80 keelboats in exciting 2 Boat Team Racing for the
chance of winning the Cumberland Cup. Racing took place at the Queen
Mary Sailing Club from Wednesday 9th May to Saturday 12th May.
This year’s regatta was comprised of seven teams and their guests from
across the globe- RTYC, Eastern YC (Marblehead, MA), Gamla Stans Yacht
Sallskap, New York YC (Newport, RI), Royal Perth YC (Perth, Australia),
Southern YC (New Orleans, LA), and Yale Corinthian YC (Branford, CT).
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Perhaps
the biggest draw for the event is the famous, and very extensive,
social program; a Reception at the RTYC London Clubhouse, drinks and
tours of the Houses of Parliament and the Gala Dinner and Prize Giving
in the Coffee Room overlooking Hyde Park! Such an experience made for
many memorable moments for the teams as they explored the city and one
of the oldest seats of government in the world.
As for the racing, the sailors experienced a good variety of winds, from
less than zero to over 15 kts, making for challenging racing in the
cramped quarters of the reservoir.
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Not
surprisingly, when one looks at the outcome after eighteen races sailed
for each team, it appeared it was the host inviting the lambs to the
slaughter by the wily coyotes of the RTYC Team Racing crew! RTYC won
sixteen of those eighteen races to win by a comfortable margin. Behind
them, it was a tie on points between NYYC and YCYC, with the tie going
to who-beat-who most; giving the silver to New York and the bronze to
Yale Corinthian YC.
Royal Thames YC Cumberland Cup Facebook page here Summary of the results here For
more Royal Thames YC Cumberland Cup sailing information
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