Community Corner
New York Yacht Club Sails Away to Block Island
Sailboats Pass by Custom House Pier en route to 155th Annual Southern New England Regatta
A small crowd gathered on Custom House Pier on July 31 to bid farewell to a fleet of 100 ships (both sailing yachts and power boats) as they headed down the Thames River in a Parade of Sail. The ships were on their way to Block Island for the second day of the 155th annual New York Yacht Club regatta in southern New England.
The boats, from places as diverse as Palm Beach, Florida, and Newport, RI, first arrived in New London on July 29, where they moored at the Coast Guard Academy and around the Custom House Pier. They were in the area for a regatta, which was held off the coast of New London on July 30.
While the regatta has taken place in southern New England for more than a century and a half, this is the first year New London has hosted the event. John Johnson, the chairman of the Thames America’s Cup Committee (TACC), helped organize the event.
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TACC’s mission is to promote yachting events along the Thames River. Johnson was among the crowd on Custom House Pier, watching the boats go by with a pair of binoculars in hand for a closeup view.
“The yachts are based out of Long Island; Fort Worth, Texas; Palm Beach, Florida; Newport, RI, and all areas,” said Johnson. “Fortunately we’ve had two glorious days of weather for the regatta.”
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The regatta, known as the Queen’s Cup, was held off the coast of New London. According to the New York Yacht Club website, the winner was Vesper, owned by Jim Swartz. The race was the first big event of the 155th annual New England cruise but it won't be the last. Today, a second regatta will be held around Block Island. “They’re off to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard next, with Newport next weekend,” Johnson said.
Based on the success of the New London leg of the regatta, Johnson said he hopes the New York Yacht Club will return again next year and draw an even bigger crowd. The New York Yacht Club is based out of both New York and Newport, RI. To find out more about the club, check out the website at: http://www.nyyc.org/.
