Mariquita Book - mk2.5

THE RACE AROUND THE ISLE OF WIGHT
WEDNESDAY 29 JULY 2015
The Race around the Isle of Wight, as distinct from the Round the Island Race held on the 27th June, was the highpoint of the International Regatta recreating the spectacle of the original America’s
Cup race sailed in 1851. With over 70 yachts competing including six from the USA, this was one of the main reasons why the syndicate had agreed to bring Mariquita up from the Mediterranean
for the season. Yachts on the startline included classics such as Eleonora and Sumurun, the J-Class and modern flyers such as Jethou and the all-carbon maxi Rambler.
The significance of the day was that it recreated and emulated the race that took place in 1851 which was the original America’s Cup Race. The course starts east, running in the opposite direction
to the Round the Island Race. It all came about because the United States wanted to show off its new yacht designs as part of the Great Exhibition organised by Prince Albert. So the America was
built by a syndicate from the New York Yacht Club and duly sailed across the Atlantic in order to challenge the members of the RYS. One of the RYS members, Lord Anglesey, bought a cup called
the £100 Cup and a date was set for the race. Although there were 15 yachts on the start line the members of the RYS expected the result to be a formality. Interestingly it wasn’t a modern day start.
Instead all the competitors were moored off the Squadron. The raced turned on a brave piece of navigation by America off Bembridge. After she rounded The Needles she passed Queen Victoria who
was watching from the royal yacht. Having established that America was in the lead she asked who was in second. She was told, “Ma’am there is no second”.
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