Rekindling a great Texas tradition

It’s not the largest of the fifty United States, in neither population nor area, but Texas is plenty big. So big that there are 15 states that could fit within Texas simultaneously. So big the entire world population could fit into the state. So big that if Texas were its own country, it would be bigger than every country in Europe.

So yes, it’s plenty big, which makes the Texas Challenge Cup something to behold. This invitational event hosts teams from active sailing and yacht clubs in Texas, one team per club, with 3-4 sailors each, to compete for the coveted award.

The Texas Challenge Cup dates back to 1986, first held at Texas Corinthian Yacht Club. That year, nine clubs competed on Solings. Lakewood Yacht Club and Houston Yacht Club held the event over the next three years but was not repeated until 2001, when it was resurrected.

By 2005, the event included clubs throughout Texas. Sometime after, the tradition paused again, until now. Lakewood is rekindling this great Texas tradition once again, to be held in their fleet of RS21s on December 11, 2021.

As Texans endure blistering heat with relentless sunshine in the summer mixed during the year with droughts, blizzards, thunderstorms, hail, tornadoes and hurricanes, there’s an immense history of great sailors that come from this gulf state.

Being the best club in Texas would be something big, and the best trophies to win are the ones that can handle a bottle of Mount Gay Rum and celebration straws. For more information, click here.