Shifting role of club in America’s Cup

by Sailing Competition

It is stated in the Deed of Gift that the America’s Cup is a competition between clubs, a reference repeated 17 times. But when the cost to compete exceeded what clubs could offer, control shifted to the teams, with clubs now more or less fulfilling just an entry requirement.

For Dennis Conner, after representing New York Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club, he entered the 2000 America’s Cup under Cortez Racing Association, a club with no facility which organizes local racing in San Diego, CA. Larry Ellison took it a step further, funding Golden Gate Yacht Club and filling its board with employees.

Teams now control their club’s involvement as explained by Aaron Young, Commodore of Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, holder of the America’s Cup:

Read more on Scuttlebutt

New Around Jamestown Record

by Sailing Competition

A new outright record was set October 19 for the Around Jamestown Record by Rob Spets on his Foiling Kiteboard Skellinger, completing the attempt around around Conanicut Island in Rhode Island with an elapsed time of 50 minutes and 48 seconds. This 2021 effort bests the previous record of 00:50:48, held since 2020 by Jason Carroll’s MOD70 Argo by 1 minute and 14 seconds. – Full report

Read more on Scuttlebutt

MC devotees gathered in corn country to celebrate a half-century of the iconic scow. No wind be darned, they still found a way to have a good time.

The Enduring E Scow

by Sailing Competition

MC devotees gathered in corn country to celebrate a half-century of the iconic scow. No wind be darned, they still found a way to have a good time.

MC devotees gathered in corn country to celebrate a half-century of the iconic scow. No wind be darned, they still found a way to have a good time. (Jen Edney/)

When Scott Harestad describes sailing MC Scows, his eyes light up with the expectation of a kid on Christmas morning. You can almost feel the exuberance. “The acceleration in the puffs is just amazing!” he says gesturing outward, his face slightly reddening with excitement and eyes widening like he’s suddenly been transported onto a wild reach on some distant lake. His speech quickens, and he shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “And,” quickly catching a breath, “you’re constantly working the controls—cunningham, vang and mainsheet—to keep it there.” Then he’s suddenly on dry land again and just as quickly asks, “Have you sailed one?”

Read more on Sailing World