by Brian Ledbetter, Seattle Yacht Club Sailing Director
The 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is over, and the event was spectacular in many ways.
Photo courtesy of Rolex/Daniel Forster
For the Sail Team Seattle sailors, it was the culmination of 13 months of planning, training, racing, and working hard to solve the new boat, sails, race course, and to prepare a challenge to compete against the 19 other teams from 13 countries in evenly matched one-design boats. The team had several great races, and with 5 races to go, had moved up to 4th in the standings, only 12 points from first, but after a couple of mediocre finishes dropped to 7th, and when the final day had no racing due to inconsistent wind, that was how it ended.
The Cup was also the scene of a gathering of Seattle Yacht Club members at the New York Yacht Club -Harbour Court Station like no one has seen before. The group was visible with Seattle team colors and burgee-wear, and filled the hospitality tent and spectator boats all week. When Sail Team Seattle was announced at the final banquet, the 50+ Seattle fans, and the friends they had made in Newport, gave a cheer that set a new decibel level for the NYYC party tent!!!
The team is enthusiastic about returning to the Invitational Cup in 2015, and plans are already under way to compete in the 2014 Qualifying Series, which will require the team to place in the top 3 to qualify for the 2015 Invitational Cup.
The effort was the result of the financial contributions of Seattle Yacht Club members, the Seattle Yacht Club Foundation, the magazine sponsors, and the Jamestown Boatyard in Newport who provided the coach boat for 3 training events and moorage.
Photo courtesy of Rolex/Daniel Forster
Thank you to all , Go Sail Team Seattle !!!!
Link to Results, Photos Video: http://www.nyyc.org/yachting/invitational-cup
