FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Barby MacGowan, Media Pro Int’l, 401-849-0220, barby.macgowan@mediapronewport.com, or Michael Levitt, communications@nyyc.org
New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex
More Sailing to Follow Classics Weekend
NEWPORT, R.I. (July 17, 2008) -- With 53 classic yachts registered to race this weekend in the first half of the New York Yacht Club's (NYYC) sixth biennial Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, another 123 boats are prepping for the second half of the event, which starts next Thursday, July 24, and continues through Sunday, July 27. And while there are PHRF and IRC boats signed up, it looks to be shaping up as an extraordinary one-design showcase, especially for NYYC Club Swan 42s, which will be sailing their North Americans and have 21 entries, and Melges 32s, which are vying for their Nationals and have 21. (In addition, J/109s are sailing their North Americans; J/105s and J/122s their East Coast Championships; and Beneteau First 36.7s their Northeast Championships.)
An all-woman crew aboard Gosia Rojek's (Brooklyn, N.Y.) NYYC 42 Better Than has been organized by Olympian Meg Gaillard (Jamestown, R.I.), who will serve as tactician aboard. Dawn Riley (San Francisco, Calif./St. Claire Shores, Mich.), a veteran of four America's Cups and one of the most recognizable women's names in sailing today, will trim the main. "Our average weight is 120 pounds so it definitely will be a good workout," said Riley.
The NYYC 42 is the ninth one-design class created by the club since 1900. It is a Frers design built by Nautor's Swan, and the class has experienced explosive growth since its introduction in 2006. The first NYYC 42, Conspiracy, owned by NYYC Vice-Commodore David Elwell, Past Commodore George R. Hinman Jr., Richard Werdiger and Donald Elliman, will be sailing, alongside such familiar winning names as Bandit, sailed by Andy Fisher (Greenwich, Conn.), Arethusa, sailed by Phil and Wendy Lotz (New Canaan, Conn.) and Tsunami, sailed by Preben Ostberg and Bud Daily, Jr. (Rockville, Md.).
According to Elwell, who spearheaded the NYYC 42 project for the club, the boat is "one answer to the growing concern by Corinthian owners about the domination of professionals in the sport." Along with a strict sail inventory and replacement rules, the class sports an owner/driver rule. No more than two pros can be aboard, and they can't steer or be compensated.
In the Melges 32 class, John Kilroy (Los Angeles, Calif.) will be sailing Samba Pa Ti with a West Coast crew. Although the Melges 32 is new for Kilroy, the reputation of his TP52 of the same name is daunting. In 2007, Kilroy won the IRC East Coast Championships and the Rolex Big Boat Series, among other major championships. He will go head-to-head with the top three finishers from this year's Acura Key West Race Week: Jeff Ecklund (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) aboard Star, Michael Carroll (Tampa, Fla.) aboard New Wave, and Joe Woods (UK) aboard RED.
Race Week's first half starts this Friday with 12 Meter sailing, followed Saturday and Sunday by a weekend of racing in several different classes of classic boats. The weekend is dedicated to celebrating the 100th birthday of legendary yacht designer Olin J. Stephens, who is best known for his Sparkman & Stephens designs.
On-demand video by T2p.tv will be available after 9 p.m. each evening of Race Week at www.nyyc.org, where complete results also can be found.
For more information, visit the website above or contact the New York Yacht Club Sailing Office, Harbour Court, 5 Halidon Avenue, Newport, R.I.02840; phone 401-845-9633; fax 401-846-3303; email sailingoffice@nyyc.org.
