Yacht racing

Yacht racing is a form of sport involving sailing yachts and larger sailboats, as
distinguished from dinghy racing. It is composed of multiple yachts, in direct
competition, racing around a course marked by buoys or other fixed navigational
devices or racing longer distances across open water from point-to-point. It can
involve a series of races when buoy racing or multiple legs when point-to-point
racing.

Newport Beach to Cabo San Lucas

Contents race start 2013

History
Rules and ratings
Notable races
Offshore races
Ocean classics
Around-the-world races
Inshore races
See also
References
Further reading

History
Yachting, that is, recreational boating, is very old, as exemplified in the ancient
poem Catullus 4:

The yacht you see there, friends,

says that she's been
The fastest piece of timber ever seen;
She swears that once she could have overhauled
All rival boats, whether the challenge called
Yacht Racing
For racing under canvas or with oars.

(trans. James Michie)

"Yacht" is referred to as deriving from either Norwegian ("jagt"), Middle Low German ("jaght") or from the Dutch word jacht, which
means "a swift light vessel of war, commerce or pleasure. The sporting element in the word lies in the derivation of jaght from the
[1][2]
root jaghen, which means to hunt, chase or pursue…."

The formal racing of boats is believed to have started with sailboats in the Netherlands some time in the 17th century. Soon, in
England, custom-built racing "yachts" began to emerge and the Royal Yacht Squadron was established in 1815. In 1661 John Evelyn
recorded a competition between Katherine and Anne, two large royal sailing vessels both of English design, "…the wager 100-1; the
race from Greenwich to Gravesend and back."[3] One of the vessels was owned, and sometimes steered, by Charles II, the King of
England. The king lost.
In 1782 the Cumberland Fleet, a class of sailing vessel known for its ability to sail
close to the wind, were painted racing up the Thames River with spectators viewing
from a bridge.[4] Much like today, this obsession with sailing close to the wind with
speed and efficiency fueled the racing community.

In the nineteenth century most yacht races were started by allotting starting positions
to the competitors. Buoys were laid in a straight line, to which the competitors
attached their yachts by means of spring ropes. The yachts were required to keep all
the sails forward of the main mast on deck until the starting signal was given.[5] The
Yacht Racing Association was founded in 1875 by Prince Batthyany-Strattman,
Captain J. W. Hughes, and Mr. Dixon Kemp.[6] The Y.R.A. wrote standardised yacht
.[7]
racing rules which included the 'Flying Start' used today

Bringing yacht racing to the forefront of public life, the America's Cup was first
raced in 1851 between theNew York Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron. Not
ruled or regulated by measurement criteria as today, it is the second-place finisher
was Aurora, "and but for the fact that time allowance had been waived for the race
she would have been the winner by a handsome margin."[8] Subsequently, the Cup
races were conducted, usually every 3–4 years, based on a challenge issued by one
1883 description of the racing of
club to the current Cup holder, which till 1983 was the NYYC. Bermudian boats, by Lady Brassey,
with illustrations showing the
As at 2017, the La Ciotat Based Yacht Partridge 1885 is documented as being the
Bermuda rig. Initially, working vessels
[9] [10] [11] [12]
world's oldest, still fully operational classic racing yacht. were rented for weekend racing in
Bermuda, but affluent competitors of

Rules and ratings the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club soon

purpose-built racers
As yacht racing became more
prevalent, and yacht design more
diverse, it was necessary to establish systems of measurements and time allowances
due to the differences in boat design. Longer yachts are inherently faster than shorter
ones; therefore, in the interests of fairness, in the 1820s a “primitive system of time
allowance was introduced on the Solent.”[13] Larger yachts were handicapped; but
owners with the biggest vessels had a problem with the allowance system, for they
preferred that crossing the finish line first, much as in foot and horse races, should
A yacht race at the finish line
suffice to win the contest. As a result, both ratings and “one-design” competition
were developed.

Ratings systems rely upon some formulaic analysis of usually very specific yacht-design parameters such as length, sail area,
displacement, and hull shape. During the 1920s and through the 1970s the Cruising Club of America established a formula by which
most racing/cruising boats were designed during that period. After its descendant, the mathematically complex International Offshore
Rule (IOR) of the 1970s, contributed to much decreased seaworthiness (and even speed), the simpler Performance Handicap Racing
Fleet (PHRF)[14] system was adopted. The PHRF uses only proven performance characteristics, especially theoretical sailing speed,
as a means to allow dissimilar yachts—typically crewed by friends and families at clubs rather than by professional crews—to race
together. Most popular family-oriented cruising sailboats will have a rating filed with a local chapter of the PHRF
.

The most prevalent handicap rating systems today are the ORC, ORR, IRC, and the PHRF.[15] Many countries organise their own
handicap systems which do not take into account the size, weight, or sail area of the yacht, but performance is measured on the basis
[16]
of previous race results. The Irish E.C.H.O. system is such a handicap system.

One-design racing was invented by Thomas (Ben) Middleton in 1886 in Killiney Bay close to Dublin City, Republic of Ireland.
Middleton was concerned that winning a yacht race was more reliant on having an expensive new yacht, than it was on the skill of
the yachtsman.[17] One design yacht racing is conducted with classes of similar boats, all built—often via mass-production—to the
 same design, with the same sail area and rig, and the same number of crew, so that
crew ability and tactical expertise are more likely to decide a race than boat type, or
age, or even weather. Popular racing boats such as The Water Wag, Laser, the J/22
and J/24, the Etchells, and the Star and New York 30 of Nathanael Herreshoff are
examples of one-design boats.

In general, modern yacht-racing contests are conducted according to the Racing

Rules of Sailing,[18] first established in 1928.[19] Though complex, the RRS are
intended primarily simply ensure fairness and safety. The Rules are revised and
updated every four years by the body now known asWorld Sailing.

Santa Cruz 70 Retro 2013
Ahmanson Cup regatta,Newport
Beach, California.
Notable races
The major races of today can be classified as offshore, ocean, around the world, and
[20]
inshore racing all adhering to one set of rule, but diverse handicapping standards.

Offshore races
Vic-Maui Yacht Race – (Vic-Maui) is an offshore yacht race starting at Victoria in Canada and ending at Lahaina in
Hawaii, a distance of 2,308 nautical miles ((4,274 km)). The iVc-Maui race was started in 1965, is held every other
year, and is the longest of the Pacific-Hawaiiraces.
Transpacific Yacht Race - (Transpac) is an offshore yacht race starting off Point Fermin, San Pedro, near Los
Angeles, and ending off Diamond Head Lighthousein Honolulu, a distance of around 2,225nautical miles (2,560 mi;
4,121 km). Started in 1906, it is one of yachting's premier of
fshore races and attracts entrants from all over the world.
The race is organized by theTranspacific Yacht Club.
Fastnet – established in 1924 with 7 boats, the race covers approximately 600 miles starting at Cowes on the Isle of
Wight, rounding Fastnet rock on the southern coast of Ireland, and finishing at Plymouth.
Tour De France A La Voile – established in 1978 with 20 boats, the race parallels the cycling event and takes place
along France's three coasts: English Channel, Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean. It covers over 1000 miles.
Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race – established in 1945, this Australian race runs fromSydney, New South Wales to
Hobart, Tasmania covering over 682 nautical miles 1,263
( km; 785 mi).[21]
Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster- The 440 nm course crosses Bass Strait, down the rugged W est Coast of
Tasmania and rounds the southernmost tip of Australia before heading up the Derwent River to the finish in Hobart.
Newport to Bermuda – started in 1906 the race runs fromNewport, Rhode Islandto Bermuda, a small archipelago
approximately 640 miles off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac– founded in 1898 with five boats, the race runs from Chicago, IL to Mackinac
Island on the northern tip of Michigan covering over 300 miles of freshwater racing.
Marblehead to Halifax race– founded in 1905, the race runs from Marblehead, Massachusetts to Halifax, Nova
Scotia covering over 360 miles of racing.
Coastal Classic – starting in 1982 this race is New Zealand’s premiere fleet race. Covering about 125 miles, it is
shorter than most offshore races and runs north from Auckland to Russell, which is at the northern tip of New
Zealand’s North Island.
San Fernando – this race, started in 1975 with six yachts, runs a distance of 500 miles between Hong Kong and the
Philippines.
The Governor's Cup – this race, started in 1996 with 15 yachts, runs a distance of 1700 miles between Simon's
Town in South Africa and St. Helena Island inthe South Atlantic.
Regata del Sol al Sol - established in 1968, this race runs from the St. Petersburg aYcht Club in St. Petersburg,
Florida to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, a small island 8 miles Northeast of Cancún in the Caribbean Sea. This race runs a
distance of 500 nautical miles. Typically, two dozen or more boats from all over the Gulf of Mexico compete in this
regatta, with LOA ranging from 35 to 80 feet.

Ocean classics
Ostar – first held in 1960, organised by the Royal W estern Yacht Club, the Ostar runs from Plymouth to Newport (in
1960 the finish line was in New York). It is a single-handed race, against the prevailing wind and current in the North
Atlantic. The race is held every 4 years but has become an amateur race in the early 21st century . Originally, the
 Ostar was the main race for offshore sailors, but has meanwhile lost its status to the Route du Rhum. The race
covers about 3,000 miles.
Route Du Rhum – established in 1978 and starting in November , this race happens every four years. It is primarily a
singlehanded race, but crewed boats do compete. It starts in France’ s north coast running to Guadeloupe, a French
Island in the Caribbean. The race covers about 3700 miles.
Mini Transat – started in 1977, this is a singlehanded race held every two years that crosses the Atlantic on a similar
route as the Route Du Rhum. This race is broken up into two legs, the first going from France to the Canary Islands
and the second to Guadeloupe Island in the Caribbean.
Osaka Cup – first held in 1987 the race runs from Melbourne to Osaka and is slated as a double hander , only two
crew. Many different types of boats race this including tall ships.
South Atlantic – originally the Cape to Rio, it was established in 1971 with over 50 original entries. The race runs
from Cape Town, South Africa to Rio de Janeiro covering 3600 miles.
Round Ireland Yacht Race - (approximately 704 miles) which includes all the of fshore islands except Rockall is held
bi-annually, and starts and finishes in Wicklow.

Around-the-world races
Volvo Ocean Race – formerly known as theWhitbread Round the World Race, it started in 1973/74. This race is one
of the pinnacles of yacht racing, mostly professionally crewed. Originally a four leg race constituting 27,930 miles, it
is now a nine leg race.
VELUX 5 Oceans Race– formerly known as the BOC Challenge and later the Around Alone, this race started in
1982 with 17 entries. It is a single-handed race around the world, originally with 4 legs but now with 3.
Global Challenge – this race was established in 1992/93 by Scottish sailing icon Sir Chay Blythe, the first person to
sail around the world alone against the prevailing winds and currents. This is what makes this race unique,
participants “beat” their way against the sea which makes for very uncomfortable, but safer , sailing conditions than
sailing downwind. The race is sailed in one-design boats that are designed and built specifically for the race. The
crews cannot be professional, and are made up of novice sailors who pay for a berth.
Vendée Globe – this race, known as theEverest of the Seas for its difficulty[22] , started November 26, 1989 with 13
entries. It is a single handed, non-stop, without assistance race. The first race took 120 days, and only 7 finished.
Jules Verne Trophy – established in 1993 the race was designed to be a race against the clock, not other boats.
Participants can start any time, have any design, any number of crew , and the only two rules are: 1)start and finish at
the Ile d’Ouessant, and 2) complete the journey under 80 days.
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race - established by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first man to perform a single-
handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe, the first Clipper race took place in 1996. The race is sailed in a fleet
of 12 one-design boats that are designed and built specifically for the race. Each yacht is crewed by a professional
skipper and paying novice sailors. It is the longest yacht race, with multiple stopovers and taking 11 months to
complete the circumnavigation.
Barcelona World Race – double-handed (two-crew) non-stop sailing around the world onIMOCA Open 60 yachts
and organized by Fundació Navegació Oceànica Barcelona.

Inshore races
The Admirals Cup – created in 1957 by the Admiral of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, it is raced every two years.
This is a competition between countries who are allowed to send one team and three boats of a chosen one design
class. It appears that due to international disagreements that this event no longer takes place.
The America's Cup – established in 1851, this is the oldest, and arguably the most prestigious, exclusive event in
yacht racing. Participants are restricted to a measurement formula for the boats, and the rules concerning the same
have been controversial since the very beginning. The English, who were the challengers for the first 132 years of
the race, commented "England rules the waves, but America waives the rules." This race was not traditionally an
inshore race, due to the requirement that the British boat would sail to the racing area, which involved sailing trans-
Atlantically.
The Heather Cup - Contested annually as part of theAuckland Anniversary Regatta, itself founded in 1840, and
contested on over 170 yearly occasions since establishment (halted briefly during the Boer/South Africanar). W

See also
Sailing (sport)
Dinghy racing
References
1. Phillips-Birt, Douglas (1974).The History of Yachting. New York: Stein and Day. p. 9. ISBN 0812817044.
2. Free Dictionary: definition and derivation of "yacht"(http://www.thefreedictionary.com/yacht)
3. Phillips-Birt, Douglas (1974).The History of Yachting. New York: Stein and Day. p. 14. ISBN 0812817044.
4. Phillips-Birt, Douglas (1974).The History of Yachting. New York: Stein and Day. p. 22. ISBN 0812817044.
5. Athlone Yacht Club, 'notice of race' for LoughRee Regatta 1835 in Athlone Sentinel, 31 July 1835
6. Dixon Kemp's manual of Yacht & Boat sailing and Architecture, 11th edition of 1913
7. Dixon Kemp's manual of Yacht & Boat sailing and Architecture, 11th edition of 1913
8. Phillips-Birt, Douglas (1974).The History of Yachting. New York: Stein and Day. p. 28. ISBN 0812817044.
9. "The world's oldest racing yacht?"(http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/andrew-brays-blog/the-worlds-oldest-racing-
yacht-12231).
10. "he bowman gets a good dousing on "Partridge", one of the oldest yachts ..."
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4199607
33986831222/)
11. "the oldest .... Partridge built in 1885 by John Beavor-W
ebb who is the oldest yacht still afloat!"(https://www.regatesr
oyales.com/en/home-uk/historic).
12. "The world's oldest racing yacht?"(http://www.yachtingworld.com/blogs/andrew-brays-blog/the-worlds-oldest-racing-
yacht-12231). Yachting World October 22, 2008.
13. Phillips-Birt, Douglas (1974).The History of Yachting. New York: Stein and Day. p. 29. ISBN 0812817044.
14. "US Sailing" (http://offshore.ussailing.org/Page1130.aspx).
15. "Offshore Home" (http://offshore.ussailing.org/Offshore_Home.htm).
16. Sailing.ie
17. The water Wags 1887-2012 by Alfred and Vincent Delany
18. "ISAF : About The Racing Rules of Sailing"(http://www.sailing.org/documents/rrs-background.php).
19. Rushall, Mark. "The Racing Rules of Sailing"(http://www.rushall.net/images/stories/pdf/the_racing_rules_of_sailing.p
df) (PDF). Rushall Partnership. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
20. Steward, Sue & Anthony (2000).Top Yacht Races of the World. London: New Holland.ISBN 1859743943.
21. "About the Race" (http://www.rolexsydneyhobart.com/about-the-race/the-course/). Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Retrieved 29 December 2014.
22. Eastaugh, Sophie (4 November 2016)."Vendee Globe: 66-year-old solo sailor takeson 'Everest of the Seas' " (http://
edition.cnn.com/2016/11/04/sport/rich-wilson-vendee-globe-sailing/index.html)
. CNN. Retrieved 15 November 2017.

Further reading
Media related to Yachting at Wikimedia Commons

Yachting: No sport for the faint-hearted- Mike Steere, CNN, 17 October 2008
Danger on the high seas – whales, debris and weather just some of the obstacles in theolvo
V Ocean Race - Steve
Elling, The National, 9 October 2014

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acht_racing&oldid=826960504"

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