Biennial Event Taking Shape

North American championships for the Farr 395, Henderson 30 and J/35 classes will be determined at the biennial New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, which takes place 16-25 July, 2004 in Newport, R.I.

Sailors from across the U.S. and Europe are drawn to this popular regatta for its split-racing format. The first half of the week, from July 16 to 20, is devoted to handicap racing under IMS, PHRF and Americap II, while the second half, July 22 to 25, is designed for one-design racing. A distance race, open to all divisions, takes place mid-week, July 21, and is scored separately.

“There is always something exciting happening at this event,” said Regatta Chair Steven WOLFF. “In addition to the North American Championships, we have the Farr 40 class determining its East Coast Champion and the J/105 class determining its Southern New England Champion. As well, the first half of Race Week will serve as the second event in the newly established NYYC Invitational Racing Series for Vintage and Classic Yachts.”

Rolex timepieces will be awarded to the yachts with the best overall performances in Class, IMS/Americap II and PHRF divisions as long as entries in these divisions exceed minimum entry levels. One-design classes qualifying for the Rolex timepiece prize are those competing for their National or North American championships that have at least 20 entries. A timepiece also will be awarded for best overall performance during the one-design segment of the regatta.

Racing will take place on Rhode Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. Up to three racing circles for the handicap and one-design portions of the week are planned, with a total of seven races scheduled per circle. Shoreside activities will be hosted at Harbour Court, NYYC’s clubhouse on Newport Harbour.

“This is the fourth running of Race Week, and it just gets better each time,” said Wolff. “Newport offers superb racing conditions in an incredibly scenic, friendly setting. For many sailors it’s a unique opportunity to compete in handicap racing in the first half of the week and switch to a one-design boat for racing in the second half. More and more, however, one-design boats are racing the entire week–under a handicap in the beginning and in a one-design class at the end, with the distance race in the middle.”

Other one-design classes competing are the 1D35, J/44, J/109, J/120 and Swan 45, with others expected to be added.
Rolex Watch U.S.A. has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of NYYC events since 1994.