The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) has confirmed the line-up of participating yachts racing in the second Westward Cup regatta, taking place between the 11th and the 16th June 2012. The competing yachts are Altair, Eleonora, Mariette and Mariquita. Also invited, but as yet unconfirmed, are Lulworth and Moonbeam IV.
The Westward Cup is being run by an association of three of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world, the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS), the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) and the New York Yacht Club (NYYC).
The organisers have set out to replicate a style, class and regatta atmosphere matching the period when Westward and the Big Class yachts all raced in Cowes, the birthplace of such elegant racing during the 1920s and 30s. The racing area will predominately be in the Solent and courses will be, where possible, set to mirror those used by Big Class yachts in those glory days.
Safety is of course, paramount and these prestigious vessels will enjoy four days of racing, adhering to the “La Belle Classe by the YCM” racing guidelines, created in close consultation with traditional yacht captains and owners and applied in all the major classic yacht gatherings to ensure safe and gentlemanly racing.
A “Round the Isle of Wight” race may be included, if weather permits.
Provisional schedule
The provisional schedule comprises four days of racing and one lay day. The yachts will be racing for a different Trophy each day after which owners, captains and their guests will be able to enjoy an evening ashore in Cowes.
• Tuesday 12th June: Race 1 for the Yacht Club de Monaco Trophy.
• Wednesday 13th June: Race 2 for the Boat International Media Trophy.
• Friday 15th June: Race 3 for the New York Yacht Club Trophy.
• Saturday 16th June: Race 4 for the Royal Yacht Squadron Trophy with the Prize giving ceremony taking place at the RYS Pavilion.
Prizes each day
Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd will be awarded and presented on each respective Race day. The final overall winner will be presented with the Westward Cup, which is a perpetual trophy, and with a replica keepsake trophy at the final Prize giving.
An English Silversmith, Richard Parsons, was asked to design and craft the Westward Cup for the inaugural event in March 2010. This perpetual trophy was commissioned by the owner of Eleonora, in celebration of the centenary of Westward’s launch in March 1910. The Cup is similar in design to the Cup that Westward won when she was racing in the Solent in the early part of the last century and it will be presented to the overall winner of the 2012 Westward Cup Regatta on 16th June.
The Royal Yacht Squadron
+44 (0) 1983 292191
www.rys.org.uk