By Michael Rudnick, Regatta Co-chair
Noroton Yacht Club won the 25th Annual Kirby Cup Team Race Championship in a tie breaking final sail-off with New York Yacht Club. The racing, hosted by Noroton Yacht Club in Darien, CT September 27-29, was very tight amongst teams representing the host club NYC, New York Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club and Larchmont Yacht Club, with many college alumni on the racetrack battling it out for the top spot.
Noroton YC and New York YC were tied after the two round robins with Noroton winning the tie-breaking final sailoff. This is the sixth time Noroton YC has won the championship, the last being in 2013 and is now tied for New York YC also with six Kirby Cup wins in the 25-year history of the championship. Seawanhaka Corinthian has won twice, and Larchmont once.
After being blown out on Day 1, racing was challenging on Day 2 in the 15-20 knot easterly with steep chop and the full-ebb tide. This was the first year that spinnakers were permitted in the Kirby Cup, but the conditions precluded their use.
Final Results
1. Noroton YC
2. New York YC
3. Seawanhaka Corinthian YC
4. Larchmont YC
Noroton YC showing their winning form © Rick Bannerot/OntheFlyPhoto.net
Seawanhaka Corinthian YC was voted by the fleet as the recipient of this year’s Peter Wilson Fair Play award for their overall sportsmanship on and off the racecourse. The award was presented by Margo Kirby, widow of Bruce Kirby (1929-2021), the designer of the Sonar, longtime Noroton YC member, and a Sailing Hall-of-Famer.
Thanks to our sponsors, Mount Gay Rum and Bezel wine by Cakebread Cellars. The annual Kirby Cup has been hosted by Noroton YC since 1999 and sailed in Sonars, and honors the memory of Bruce Kirby. ■
