12 Metre North Americans coming to Newport

The 2016 12 Metre North American Championship will be hosted by Ida Lewis Yacht Club on September 23-25 in Newport, RI.

“Spectators can look forward to seeing three boats racing in each of three classes – Grand Prix, Modern and Traditional,” said Peter Gerard, Vice President of the Americas Fleet. “Beginning on Friday, September 23, seven races will be held either on Narragansett Bay north of the bridge, or on Rhode Island Sound.”

Participating 12 Metres will be docked at Bannister’s Wharf starting on Thursday, September 22. With course signals at 1055 each morning of racing, spectators who go to Fort Adams between 0900-1030 will have the best chance of seeing the 12s sailing out to the racecourse.

Competing will be K-Z5 LAURA, KZ-18 Lionheart and K-Z3 NEW ZEALAND in the Grand Prix class; K-22 VICTORY 83, US-26 COURAGEOUS and US-22 INTREPID in the Modern class; and US-16 COLUMBIA, US-17 WEATHERLY and US-21 AMERICAN EAGLE in the Traditional class.

Looking ahead, the 2019 12 Metre World Championship will be held in Newport, R.I., in June. Gerard is anticipating that 25 boats – more than half coming from outside North America.

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