Sailing Into Cape May

 

It’s not even summer yet and I am already waiting for the end of August when the world’s most famous racing yacht, America, will be sailing into Cape May.

For the first time in its 165-year history, The America’s Cup has launched a tour leading up to the 2017 America’s Cup races in Bermuda. They are on a  mission to spark new excitement in the current yachting community about the latest America’s Cup racing; and to engage the next generation of America’s Cup fans by highlighting the technologies that have elevated the sport to its present state.

Troy Sears is taking the modern replica of the world’s most famous racing yacht, America, to sailing communities in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This will give sailing fans of all ages a chance to come aboard a replica of the vessel that first won the Royal Squadron’s 100 Pound Cup in 1851, which was later deeded to New York Yacht Club and became the America’s Cup, named after the winning schooner.

“The goal of this tour is to celebrate the event’s storied history and infuse a new level of excitement and involvement in the America’s Cup now and for generations to come” said Sears.

The East Coast portion of the tour is slated to launch in April 2016 out of San Diego, and ending in 2017 for the 35th Defense of the America’s Cup in Bermuda. Scheduled stops along the Gulf Coast and East Coast will be the heart and soul of the second leg of the America’s Cup Tour. Events will take place at public docks, maritime centers, community sailing associations, and yacht clubs in each port.

This is where Cape May gets to participate. Carl Behrens and the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May have navigated  the America’s course into Cape May harbor. She’ll be here August 30-31 2016, between the yacht club and South Jersey Marina. Details are still being worked out about sailing trips and times.

Stay tuned for more details.