2012 will be a big year for sailing events in the UK. As well as the Olympics, the Superyacht Cup will visit English shores as well as a full calendar of racing as part of the Royal Southern Yacht Club’s 175th Anniversary celebrations.
For those sailing fans who love tradition and spectacle, the Westward Cup will bring eight Big Class yachts to the Solent from the 11-16th of June.
The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) has confirmed that it has extended invitations to eight of the most beautiful Big Class yachts in the world for the second edition of the Westward Cup regatta.
The event is held in association with the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) and the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM) with the RYS as the Organising Authority. The first Westward Cup, staged in 2010 was a tremendous success for everyone taking part. It marked the revival of and interest in Big Class yacht racing in the Solent and around the world.
Invitations to the owners of the following yachts have been sent; Altair, Cambria, Elena, Eleonora, Lulworth, Mariette, Mariquita and Moonbeam IV
Speaking on behalf of the RYS, David Aisher, Rear Commodore Yachting said:
“The Westward Cup is a unique event for these exquisite racing yachts. Apart from the competitive and challenging racing opportunities that the Solent and adjacent waters can provide, there is the relaxing and welcoming atmosphere of Cowes and the many clubs here, the true ‘home of yachting’ to many of these yachts. The RYS will provide a base for the owners and their guests, and, by staging the Westward Cup in Cowes, will also be providing the devotees of Big Class yachting a spectacle rarely seen in Solent waters.”
The RYS will run the racing along the lines of 2010, making maximum use of the waters around the Isle of Wight to ensure the captains and crews enjoy challenging and competitive racing that only these waters can deliver. Racing will be scored under the International IRC Rule.
