The Corinthian Yacht Club (Marblehead, Massachusetts) aims to defend its title at the upcoming Resolute Cup in Narragansett Bay and returns with the same crew that won the championship in 2022. With their winning experience, skipper Wade Waddell and his crew are ready for another strong performance at this prestigious event.
“The competition is intense, the racing is close and it’s hard to win, which is why we keep coming back,” says Waddell. “After winning the title in 2022 and finishing second in the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, we knew we had to come back. Our team – Doug Sabin, Duncan Swain and Miranda Bakos – has developed a strong bond and a high level of trust, which is crucial when the stakes are high.”
Waddell is familiar with the bitter rivalry with the San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC), having already finished ahead of the club in the 2022 Resolute Cup before taking second place behind the SDYC in the 2023 Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup.
“SDYC has assembled a younger team this year, but I’m sure they will still be a formidable opponent,” notes Waddell. “Many of SDYC’s sailors are either friends or former college teammates, which adds a fun dynamic to the competition. It was exciting to finish 1st and 2nd with them in both the Resolute Cup and the Invitational Cup, albeit in different orders.”
Since its inception in 2010, the Resolute Cup has served as the Corinthian championship for U.S. yacht clubs and remains the only guaranteed path for an American club to secure a spot in the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, considered the most prestigious international competition in Corinthian sailing. The seventh edition of the biennial event, which was not held in 2020, is scheduled for September 9-14 at the New York Yacht Club Harbor Court in Newport, Rhode Island. This year, the event will showcase the club’s sonar fleet with standardized equipment and on-water umpires to ensure fair competition.
Although the San Diego Yacht Club has already secured a spot in the 2025 Invitational Cup, it is not resting on its laurels. Jack Egan, who is stepping in as Resolute Cup captain, is determined to push his team to the limit.
“In some ways the pressure is off, but none of us have an ‘off’ switch for competition,” says Egan. “Tyler Sinks, the previous skipper, has shared his insights with us, and we are ready to lean on the SDYC experience and the diverse skills each of us brings.”
Adam Roberts, who serves as tactician for the SDYC, shares Egan’s views on the team’s strength and potential.
“We have a boat full of talent and each sailor brings something unique to the table,” explains Roberts. “Winning the Resolute Cup requires the same meticulous attention to detail as the Invitational Cup. It’s my job to combine our strengths and make sure we do our best in every way in this event.”
Meanwhile, the Eastern Yacht Club, led by Clinton Hayes, is also aiming for a place on the podium. After finishing fourth in 2022, Hayes believes her experience with the sonar will be a key advantage.
“High-level racing in evenly matched boats is the most fun thing on the water,” notes Hayes. “Eastern has always excelled in Sonar and we believe we can compete with the best.”
Hannah Lynn, also part of the Eastern team, emphasizes the importance of familiarity and consistency.
“We’ve been racing together for a decade, mostly with Sonars,” Lynn says. “Coming back with the same crew gives us a solid foundation to build on, especially now that we’re more comfortable with the boat.”
The Southern Yacht Club, former Resolute Cup and Invitational Cup champions, are also in the running. With Andy Lovell, an experienced sailor with experience of Olympic qualifying events, at the helm, they will be aiming to regain their former glory.
“We need to qualify for the Invitational Cup and that’s a big deal for us,” says Lovell. “We’re focused on doing well in every race and not letting frustration get the better of us.”
Racing for the Resolute Cup begins on September 11. On September 14, the fleet will be halved for three final double point races. The action will take place on Narragansett Bay. Racing will begin at 10:30 a.m. each day and continue through the afternoon, weather permitting.
2024 Determined Cup
New York Yacht Club Harbor Court, Newport, Rhode Island
9 to 14 September
Participating teams include:
American Yacht Club (Rye, NY), Austin Yacht Club (Texas), Bay Waveland Yacht Club (Mississippi), Bayview Yacht Club (Detroit, Michigan), California Yacht Club (Marina del Rey, California), Carolina Yacht Club (Charleston, South Carolina), Charleston Yacht Club (Charleston, South Carolina), Chicago Yacht Club (Illinois), Corinthian Yacht Club (Marblehead, Massachusetts), Corinthian Yacht Club of San Francisco (California), Eastern Yacht Club (Marblehead, Massachusetts), Edgewater Yacht Club (Cleveland, Ohio), Fort Worth Yacht Club (Texas), Lakewood Yacht Club (Texas), Larchmont Yacht Club (NY), Little Traverse Yacht Club (Michigan), Mystic River Mudheads Sailing Association (Connecticut), New York Yacht Club (NY), Newport Harbor Yacht Club (California), Pensacola Yacht Club (Florida), San Diego Yacht Club (California), Seattle Yacht Club (Washington), Shelter Island Yacht Club (NY), Southern Yacht Club (Louisiana), St. Francis Yacht Club (Calif.), Stamford Yacht Club (Conn.), Storm Trysail Club (New York), The San Francisco Yacht Club (Calif.).
Do you like Newport Buzz? We rely on the generosity of readers like you to support us in fulfilling our mission of keeping you informed and entertained with local, independent news and content. We greatly appreciate your trust and support!
Related
