Race Week, ORC/IRC World Championships and Resolute Cup highlight crowded 2020 sailing schedule

Close competitive racing awaits those who attend next year's 2020 ORC/IRC World Championship in Newport © Sander van der Borch

It doesn't take perfect vision to see that the 2020 summer in America's sailing capital will be one of the busiest in history. The New York Yacht Club will take full advantage of the New England sailing season, hosting one major event after another for just shy of four months. The array of regattas will span the sport and bring countless sailors to the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court to enjoy some of the finest racing conditions and on-shore hospitality found anywhere in the world.

"We have a remarkable sailing season planned for 2020," says Vice Commodore Christopher J. Culver. "In addition to the traditional anchors of a even-numbered year—our 166th Annual Regatta, Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex and the Resolute Cup—we'll have the ORC/IRC World Championship, our trio of great team races and the second Melges IC37 National Championship. There's spectacular sailing from the beginning of June straight through to Columbus Day."

The return of the ORC/IRC World Championship, which hasn't been contested in North America since 2000, highlights a full summer of top-flight competition for skippers and crews on larger yachts that race under handicap rating rules. A trio of grand-prix events, including the Annual Regatta and Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, will provide boats based outside New England, and abroad, a great excuse to move to Newport for the summer of 2020.

"Rating-rule competition goes back to the very first races run by the New York Yacht Club." says Culver. "This mix of buoy and distance racing—utilizing the two most popular rating rules in the sport—is part of our DNA. We're very proud to bring this prestigious world championship back to Newport. We're anticipating a large fleet, including some of the best programs from Europe and elsewhere in the world, to compete on Rhode Island Sound for one of three coveted world titles."

Melges IC37 National Championship - photo © Paul Todd / Outside Images

While not a new addition to the schedule, the fifth edition of the New York Yacht Club One-Design Regatta will move from its traditional spot early in the season season to late August, where it will embrace the late summer sailing conditions and serve as a perfect tune-up regatta for the Melges IC37 National Championship, which will take place October 8 to 12. The Melges IC37 Class, which was created by the New York Yacht Club, is quickly gathering momentum in the United States and abroad. Two dozen or more teams of amateur sailors are expected to compete in the class's second national championship.

2018 Resolute Cup - photo © Paul Todd / www.outsideimages.com

The 2020 Resolute Cup, a Corinthian championship for U.S. yacht clubs, is scheduled for September 14 to 19. This biennial invitational regatta is the only way for a U.S. club to guarantee themselves a berth in the 2021 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. The Resolute Cup has been lauded as one of the best regattas for amateur sailors. Provided boats and sails, along with equalized rig tune, create a level platform that is a step above typical one-design competition, while a top-notch social schedule celebrates the camaraderie and sportsmanship so integral to the sport. This regatta should be on the bucket list of every amateur sailor in the United States. The request for invitation process for the 2020 Resolute Cup is under way.

The full schedule of New York Yacht Club regattas in 2020 can be found below. More information can be found on the Club's website.

2020 New York Yacht Club Regatta Calendar