Defending Champions Lead Heading Into Final Day

Newport, RI (September 13, 2013) – An almost three-hour delay – due to lack of breeze – on the penultimate day of racing at the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex was subsequently followed by a general recall once racing got underway on Rhode Island Sound.  It was the first time thus far in the five-day regatta that the 20 yacht club teams were racing outside, which meant they were relieved of the need to frequently tack back and forth along the shore of Aquidneck Island as they had done over the previous three days of competition while racing in the relatively close confines of upper Narragansett Bay.

The change of course location appealed to several teams who turned in their best results of the series thus far.  The team representing Yacht Club Argentino (YCA) was clearly more comfortable racing in the three foot offshore swell and nine knots of breeze as they scored a 3-2-1 in today’s racing.

“It was a perfect day,” said YCA skipper Paolo Cosentino.  “The conditions were more stable [today].  Inside the Bay it’s quite tricky; the currents and going through the channel from one side to the other.  We are not used to sailing these kinds of conditions.”  Cosentino explained that the conditions outside made the team feel more like they were racing at home in Buenos Aires, Argentina.  “We were clear on which side we wanted to race, so we focused on the speed of the boat and, really, the boat was quite fast today.  We also feel more comfortable in the handling of the boat.  Our intention was just to improve, because we were quite at the bottom of the table.”  Cosentino explained that the team’s goal was to finish top-five in the regatta.  More important, however, was for them to give their all to the competition and today’s results made them very happy with their effort.

YCA gained a great deal in the standings based on today’s results.  They came into the day in 16^th overall and moved up to now stand eighth with 95 points.  This is their second time competing in the Invitational Cup, having placed 11^th in 2011.

Big gains in the overall standings were also made by the Royal Southern Yacht Club team who are competing in the event for the first time.  Finishes of 10-9-2 moved the British team up from 11^th into fifth overall with 91 points.  Yacht Club Italiano, with results of 4-13-3, moved up the scoreboard three places into 14^th overall with 113 points.  Not faring as well today was the team from Seattle Yacht Club.  Three double-digit finishes, 12-19-12, dropped them from fourth to seventh overall on 92.2 points.

Larchmont Yacht Club, who have been flying the Rolex gold spinnaker indicating their position as standings leader for the last two days, and defending champions Royal Canadian Yacht Club, have swapped places after today’s three races.  With a 1-3-7, the Canadians have taken the lead with 45 points.  The Americans, with 51.1 points, do not have an insurmountable deficit to overcome.  But they will relinquish the golden spinnaker to the Canadians for the two planned final races of the series.

Racing, concludes Saturday, September 14, and will be preceded by the fleet parading through Newport Harbor at 0900, offering spectators (at the Newport International Boat Show and at additional vantage points along the waterfront) an opportunity to cheer the competitors before the first race of the day scheduled for 1100 EDT.  The course location, on Narragansett Bay or Rhode Island Sound, will be determined by the Race Committee based on the day’s conditions.  The winner of the 2013 New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex will be determined at the conclusion of racing.

New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex
STANDINGS THROUGH 10 RACES
Position, Team, Country, Points Total

1      Royal Canadian YC, CAN, 45
2      Larchmont YC, USA, 51.1
3      Royal Thames YC, GBR, 63.3
4      Royal Cork YC, IRL, 77.8
5      Royal Southern YC, GBR, 91
6      Japan Sailing Federation, JPN, 92
7      Seattle YC, USA, 92.2
8      YC Argentino, ARG, 96
9      New York YC, USA, 97
10   Cruising YC of Australia, AUS, 101
11   Royal Prince Alfred YC, AUS, 104
12   Royal Yacht Squadron, GBR, 107
13   The San Francisco YC, USA, 110
14   YC Italiano, ITA, 113
15   Royal Hong Kong YC, HKG, 117
16   Royal Freshwater Bay YC, AUS, 123
17   Royal Belgian Sailing Club, BEL, 134
18   Nylandsk Jaktklubben, FIN, 138.9
19   Real Club Nautico de Barcelona, ESP, 161
20   Royal Swedish Yacht Club, SWE, 163

How to Follow the Event
Further information on the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex and daily reports during the event may be found at www.nyyc.org

To receive a post-event wrap up report and to download high-resolution images, copyright free for editorial purposes, register online at www.regattanews.com

Virtual Eye, with realistic 3D animation and the ability to switch between multiple camera angles, will bring the event to anyone who can’t physically make it to Newport. The tracker, displaying data for each boat, will be available on the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex website.

To enhance the tracking, live audio commentary will be provided by Brad Dellenbaugh, NYYC’s Sailing Director and America’s Cup umpire, and Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport and the 2002 J/24 World Champion.  Flanking the fleet on RIBs, this dynamic duo will provide their perspective of the racing as well as their considerable insight into one-design tactics.  In addition to live streaming, this audio will be available via VHF 86 for local spectators watching the racing from the water.

Video of the competition, including onboard footage and post-race interviews will be available after 9:00 p.m. EST each day of racing at NYYC Invitational Cup presented by Rolex videos.

Finally, the event can be followed on Facebook and on Twitter

PR SERVICES FOR ROLEX IN YACHTING

United State
Media Pro International
Jan Harley
E: jan.harley@mediapronewport.com
T: +1 401 683 8224

International
Key Partners (KPMS)
Giles Pearman
E: giles@kpms.com
T: +41 32 724 2829

PR SERVICES FOR NEW YORK YACHT CLUB
Stuart Streuli
Communications Director
E: streulis@nyyc.org
T: +1 401 608 1128

About the Invitational Cup
First held in 2009, the biennial New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex fuses five days of intense racing aboard identical Swan 42s with a glamorous social schedule to deliver an unrivaled event for competitors from around the globe.

Competitors must be non-professional (Corinthian) sailors and members of the yacht clubs they represent; they must also be nationals of their countries.  For 2013, the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup presented by Rolex will welcome competitors from the following yachts clubs: the  Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (AUS), Japan Sailing Federation (JPN), Nyländska Jaktklubben (FIN), Real Club Nautico de Barcelona (ESP), Royal Canadian Yacht Club (CAN), Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL), Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (HKG), Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR), Royal Yacht Squadron (GBR), Yacht Club Argentino (ARG) and the Yacht Club Italiano (ITA), which have previously competed alongside host  New York Yacht Club (USA).  New to the event are the Royal Belgian Sailing Club (BEL), Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (AUS), Royal Southern Yacht Club (GBR), Royal Swedish Yacht Club (SWE), as well as the three teams determined by the outcome of the 24-club U.S. Qualifying Series held at NYYC:  Larchmont Yacht Club, San Francisco Yacht Club and Seattle Yacht Club.

About Rolex
Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its OYSTER watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the OYSTER, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the PERPETUAL rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, sports, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic and patronage programs.

About Nautor’s Swan 
Nautor’s Swan is a world leader in sailing yachts, with close to half a century of experience building Swans in Pietarsaari, Finland.  The SwanLine ranges from 53 to 115 foot yachts, which combine performance and elegance with unrivalled craftsmanship and build quality.

www.nautorswan.com