The 15th Annual Jackson Cup took place April 27th & 28th in Marblehead Harbor off the Boston Yacht Club. The Jackson Cup, named in honor of the late Past Commodore of the Boston Yacht Club (Marblehead, MA), Dr. Robert F. Jackson,(1993-’94), is a national annual invitational team race challenge by the Boston Yacht Club to other clubs and organizations in the country.

The teams selected for the challenge are chosen for having demonstrated high racing skill and the Corinthian spirit. The event was inaugurated in 1999 and is held in April each year. It is sailed in Sonar class boats in Marblehead Harbor.

Seven teams of three boats raced for two days in two round robins followed by a medal round on Sunday. This year teams represent four States: The Boston Yacht Club (MA), Eastern Yacht Club (MA), Larchmont Yacht Club (NY), New York Yacht Club (NY), Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club (NY), St. Francis Yacht Club (CA), and the Southern Yacht Club (LA).

The last minute, of the last race determined the winner of the Jackson Cup on Sunday. Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club vs two year champions New York Yacht Club came down to strategic sailing on the last few legs of the fifth final race which was a first to three points.

Was it the trap? Did they use the moored lobster boat as a pick? Was it the fake and cover? What is that the skipper of one of the NYYC boats had been swimming in an earlier race? We could not tell from the RC boat (We won’t tell who!) ­ but great racing, and a lot of vocalization with SCYC coming out on top.

Two days of racing, 7-10 knots each day, shifts from South to East wind, Seven teams and very happy racers. A great Jackson Cup.

Final ranking:
1st ­ Seawanhaka Corinthian YC, Oyster Bay, NY
2nd ­ New York Yacht Club, New York, NY
3rd ­ Larchmont Yacht Club, Larchmont, NY
4th ­ Boston Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA
5th ­ St Francis Yacht Club, San Fransisco, CA
6th ­ Eastern Yacht Club, Marblehead, MA
7th ­ Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, LA

Report Submitted by PRO Anne Coulombe – photos by Leighton O’Connor