Royal Thames Yacht Club Cumberland Cup - Day 1
by Sarah Hornby 4 May 2016 20:34 BST
4-7 May 2016
RTYC Cumberland Cup day 1 © Alex Irwin /
www.sportography.tv
Sailors from all around the world have gathered at Queen Mary Sailing Club in Ashford to compete in the 2016 edition of the Royal Thames Yacht Club's Cumberland Cup- one of the oldest trophies in international sport, the original trophy dates back to 1781. The event is sailed in RTYC's matched symmetric rigged J/80s, which have been modified for team racing purposes.
On day one of the regatta the breeze built to a consistent 10kts from the South, with beautiful sunshine and flat water, providing ideal conditions for team racing. PRO Jo Lucas successfully packed in 24 races, she commented: 'Racing went really well today, excellent weather- lots of sunshine- just perfect!'
All the races were closely contested, with winners not being decided until the final moments, and constant position changes throughout the fleets.
Royal Perth, headed up by Andrew Waldby, have supported the event from the first edition. Waldby commented: 'We've been here since the beginning in 2008, when this regatta was held in London's Docklands, we like travelling to England, it's a well run and well hosted event and it's always good racing, we especially enjoy the socials. It's been close on the water today... close but not close enough.'
Previous Cumberland Cup Champions, New York Yacht Club have returned to defend their title, and if today is anything to go by, they are lining themselves up for another successful event. Cumberland Cup Event Manager Anthony Hinton stated: 'Just a stunning day on the water, highly competitive racing, after 24 races Southern and New York are overnight leaders having dropped only one race each- all to play for tomorrow... after a thoroughly good night at Hampton Court.'
This evening the sailors will be heading to Hampton Court Palace for an evening in the King's Guard Chamber, overlooking the Privy Garden, with opportunities to visit the newly opened Cumberland Art Gallery, one of the rooms formerly occupied by the Duke of Cumberland.
Tomorrow will see them return for Day 2 of the regatta, when racing will be even closer as the teams will be fully tuned in to the boats and the conditions.
Further information including results can be found at www.royalthames.com/Racing/Racing-Calendar-2016/Cumberland_Cup_2016.aspx