Preview: 2014 Nassau Cup Race

Eighteen yachts ranging from 33’ to 58’ have registered and are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2014 Nassau Cup Race on Thursday Nov. 13th. An increase in over 50% participation over the past few years, this race, which first started in 1934, has seen many of yachting’s elite competing in a test of their speed and skill across the Gulf Stream, taking the same basic route as the 2012 Volvo Ocean Race.

Starting at 11AM east of Government Cut off Miami Beach, boats will head for Nassau, Bahamas, with the provision of leaving Great Isaac Light to starboard on their way to the finish line in Nassau Harbour sometime on Friday. With a distance of 171 miles, the current course record was set in the 2012 race by Ron O’Hanley on the yacht Privateer with an elapsed time of 13 hours, 31 minutes and 30 seconds.

Today’s modern boats just need the right conditions to claim this legendary prize, and racers of all types will enjoy the navigational and crew challenge of the race across the Gulf Stream. With a fairly tight group in both IRC and PHRF, boats are expected to finish within hours (if not minutes) of each other.

Preceded by a traditional J-22 Match Race held just off the yacht club docks, the awards party will be hosted by the Nassau Yacht Club on Saturday night.

Sponsors for the Nassau Cup Race are the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami, the Lauderdale Yacht Club, Nassau Yacht Club and the Storm Trysail Club. Party hosts include Mount Gay Rum and Sands Beer of the Bahamas.

Tracking for the race and results can be found at www.nassaucuprace.org