The New York Yacht Club lost the America's Cup 26 years ago this September. Change is always troubling for anyone. I have always regarded this event as: the right thing happened for all the wrong reasons.
What will happen next season with the six meter class in Newport? Will it wither? Will it limp along with a few boats?Will it flourish; with some boats choosing to remain here and race?
A rainy day in Newport,for the awarding of prizes for the 12 meter world championship as well as the north american championship. The final day of the" legends" forum. full of recognizable faces of those who have contributed not only to the America's cup but sailing as a whole.
The last day of racing was "outside" in a very shifty day with the wind never more than 8 knots on strength. It proved to be trying for all the teams.
The first day of racing started almost on time, the wind at 6-8 knots at 11 am, building to 15-18 knots in the afternoon with relatively flat seas. The racing was tight, in some cases three boats crossing the line overlapped. Three races were completed, which always makes a race committee happy, creating a cushion in the event of bad weather.
Tomorrow is the first day of racing for the 2009 world championship for 12 meters. Unfortunately there are no boats from outside the United States; in fact all the boats are from Newport. The 12 meter class is an ISAF class and guided by the regulations of ISAF. It is unfortunate that participation is down,it may give the winner a sense of a hollow victory.
Invited out on Jimmy Gubelmann's lovely Huckins "Mahubas" to watch the final day of racing for the swan 42 club boats. 19 countries represented. close sailing; the NYYC entry Phil Lotz won by sailing very consistently.
This Nor' Easter just will not move away. Another day of racing with NE winds, at least in or near our wind range.
The wind is still in the north east 14-20 knots. Yesterday we nearly tore the gooseneck off the mast. This morning the solution was underway, a bronze strap drilled and tapped around the mast.
Yesterday we broke our spinnaker pole and worked the vang attachment too hard. Having solved those problems. Today we still had a lot of wind although not as much as yesterday, we were working the gooseneck hard and the chocks at the mast partners came loose.This allowed the mast to twist against the gooseneck making the problem worse. Had it not been for the seizing of spectra we might not have finished the day's racing.
The second day of the world's opened with wind. 18-25 knots from the NE. There was a delay but finally started a race between Gould Island and Prudence Island. There were a number of breakdowns. We broke our spinnaker pole. Stout Scout hull # 1 has beaten a few boats so far; not bad for a boat over 100 years old.
Today was the first day of racing for the six meter world championships. we started in two divisions, the moderns and the classic and vintage boats. We were not able to start a race until 3:45 pm as the wind never filled and settled. it moved from north to SSE at 5-7 knots.
Sunday, brought a pressure driven NNE wind 12-18 knots. In the words of the English it was "snakes and ladders" Despite the wind strength of the wind it was very shifty and puffy. 
