NEWPORT, RI (September 13, 2009) – Over five days, September 8-12, competitors at the 2009 Six Metre World Cup encountered every condition that Narragansett Bay could serve up, and then some. The sunshine and light air that opened the regatta on day one yielded to heavy winds and leaden skies for the balance of the series. On the penultimate day of the championship, during the second race of the day, visibility shut down to less than 100 yards when driving rain squalls went through the course. While two races were run for each division, wind readings of 25 knots eliminated plans to run any additional races. The final day of the series was a light air chase in low visibility courtesy of the stalled low pressure system that generated frequent heavy downpours.

NEWPORT, RI (September 9, 2009) – Competitors arriving at Sail Newport this morning to prepare for the second day of racing in the 2009 Six Metre World Cup were greeted by whitecaps on Narragansett Bay courtesy of a brisk northeasterly (upwards of 15 knots at 0900) that whipped through Newport as a low and a high pressure system fought for control of the day’s weather. It was a stark contrast to yesterday’s light air racing for the two divisions of “Sixes” – Classics (built 1906-1965) and Moderns (built since 1966) – which took place off Beavertail Point and saw one race abandoned and one completed for both divisions. Going “outside” for today’s race was not an option for these delicate yachts, and, with the conditions humming, the Race Committee elected to utilize course B situated between Jamestown and Gould Islands north of the Newport Bridge. However, passage under the bridge was hampered as the windspeed, trending upward, agitated 6-7 foot choppy seas beneath the center span of the bridge. Under postponement, the RC held the 34-boat fleet south of the span until the tide changed and the seas smoothed before signaling the fleet to proceed to the race course. One race was completed in breeze between 18 and 22 knots and while a second race was planned, the fleet was sent in when the wind increased to 25 knots. Even a cruise ship anchored off Rose Island was dragging anchor in the rough conditions.

NEWPORT, RI (August 28, 2009) – For sailors, and spectators too, few sights on the water this summer will have more visual appeal than the 30+ yachts that will gather in Newport from September 8-12, 2009, for the Six Metre World Cup. The genesis of the class, in 1906, coincides with the establishment of the International Rule, a mathematical formula used to design a number of sailboat classes. From 1906 to 1914, over 300 “Sixes” were built as they appealed to consumers with, and without, deep pockets. Ranging from 34 to 38’ long, the design’s rule, which allowed design differences, and the relative size-to-cost ratio, which encompassed the ability to ship easily by freighter in order to compete internationally, meant the owner could build a tailor-made craft. While over time the number of Sixes built grew to more than 1,200, today only about 350 of these treasured yachts remain in existence worldwide.

NEWPORT, RI (February 19, 2009) A fleet of legendary Six Metre yachts
from around the world will gather in Newport, Rhode Island for the 2009
International Six Metre Class World Cup Championship from September 8
through September 13, 2009. The historic yacht event will be held on
Narragansett Bay and organized by Sail Newport.

Did you lose that e-mail from the event organizers? We have the complete list of correspondence. Follow the link to below.