The 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup has officially begun in Newport, Rhode Island, bringing together 20 teams from 12 nations in one of the sport’s purest tests of amateur sailing. Hosted at the NYYC’s Harbour Court, the ninth edition of this prestigious amateur regatta is raced in identical IC37s, ensuring the spotlight falls squarely on skill, strategy, and teamwork. With seasoned champions, ambitious newcomers, and youthful crews all in the mix, five days of racing promise world-class competition and drama on the waters of Narragansett Bay.
A lively start on Rhode Island Sound
The Invitational Cup opened in earnest today, with the fleet of 20 IC37s launching into the first three races off Rhode Island Sound. Following three days of practice and a traditional opening ceremony on the lawns of Harbour Court, the first warning signal sounded at 1100 EDT. Newport delivered an east-north-easterly breeze of 12–17 knots and choppy seas, conditions that immediately tested boat handling and teamwork.
Early drama and retirements
Two clubs suffered opening-day setbacks. Royal Vancouver Yacht Club retired after Race 1 with a technical issue and did not return to the course. Brazil’s Yacht Club de Ilhabela was also forced out of the opener after a line wrapped around the keel or rudder, but recovered to place seventh in Race 3.
San Diego sets the pace
Defending champions San Diego Yacht Club quickly stamped their authority on the event. A solid seventh in Race 1 was followed by consecutive race wins, leaving them on 9 points and top of the table after Day 1. The performance underscored both their consistency and their hunger to defend the 2023 title
San Diego sets the pace
Defending champions San Diego Yacht Club quickly stamped their authority on the event. A solid seventh in Race 1 was followed by consecutive race wins, leaving them on 9 points and top of the table after Day 1. The performance underscored both their consistency and their hunger to defend the 2023 title.
Hong Kong and Canada close behind
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (3, 4, 4) sits second overall with 11 points, showing impressive steadiness in the shifting breeze. Just one point further back, Royal Canadian Yacht Club impressed with a 10, 3, 2 scoreline, highlighting their ability to bounce back from a slower start.
Early contenders emerge
Several teams remain well in the hunt.
- Royal Thames Yacht Club – 2, 11, 3 (16 pts)
- Yacht Club Costa Smeralda – 1, 8, 8 (17 pts)
- Royal Swedish Yacht Club – 11, 2, 5 (18 pts)
All three showed flashes of speed and tactical nous, keeping themselves firmly in the early chase.
Looking out for our Australian cousins
Australia’s Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, fielding one of the youngest crews in the regatta, produced a solid 12, 6, 10 scoreline. That leaves them 9th overall on 28 points, a competitive position heading into the middle stages of the regatta.
Challenges for others
At the lower end of the table, Royal Vancouver Yacht Club joins Yacht Club Italiano and Itchenor Yacht Club at 48 points, each struggling to find rhythm. Ilhabela’s recovery leaves them tied on 46 points with Royal Irish and Yacht Club Argentino, meaning plenty of work remains to climb back into the fleet.
Tomorrow’s forecast
With 12 races scheduled in total, the regatta is still wide open. The opening day confirmed San Diego’s credentials, but also highlighted the depth of talent across the international fleet. Tomorrow’s conditions will be crucial as teams look to consolidate strong starts or claw their way back into contention.
