Founded in 1870, Manhasset Bay Yacht Club is dusting off a historic sailing trophy to host some inter-club racing in Port Washington, NY. Considered the oldest annual sailing event in the United States, the Manhasset Bay Challenge Cup will be held on September 10, 2022.
While it hasn’t been too annual lately, having last been raced in 2010, it’s founding in 1902 is still a long time ago.
The Challenge Cup has been won by 26 different clubs located in the United States and Bermuda with Eastern Yacht Club (Marblehead, MA) winning it nine times, followed by Manhasset Bay Yacht Club with eight wins (1903, 1930, 1965, 1971, 1975, 1995, 1998, and 2002).
The St. Francis Yacht Club (San Francisco, CA) was the last victor, but their grasp will be challenged in 2022 as the Challenge Cup will be raced in Ideal 18s on Manhasset Bay and Long Island Sound east of Execution Rocks in a fleet-racing format.
As stated in the Challenge Cup’s Declaration of Trust, “Any organized yacht club in good standing in any country which has a clubhouse and waterfront facilities, and is a member of the United States Sailing Association or the equivalent organization in its own country” is welcome to participate.
Source: scuttlebutt – https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2022/06/13/want-to-hold-something-old/
