The Opera House Cup Committee – We are excited to announce the opening of registration for the 45th Opera House Cup Regatta, to be held August 20, 2017.
In 2016, the Opera House Cup Committee made several changes in the Regatta, most notably the creation of two divisions of the race. The Cruising division celebrates the origin and history of the Cup as a race for wooden boats crewed by family and friends. The Day Racing division recognizes the exquisite classic racing craft as well as those boats in the spirit of tradition utilizing modern designs and techniques. We will be continuing these divisions to promote racing for classic wooden boats of all ages.
This year we will be using the new CRF MkII rating system, which has been developed by the Classic Yacht Owners Association for improved transparency and accuracy. You will need a new 2017 rating certificate which is available at classicratingformula.com. There will be no charge for a certificate in 2017. This year we will be evaluating the use of sail materials including traditional woven sails as well as more recent materials and construction techniques.
We also encourage you to participate in the Nantucket Regatta. Formerly called Sail Nantucket, we changed the name to reconnect that event to its historical roots. It began in 1930 as part of a regional summer series among yacht clubs on Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. We will be inviting entries from those areas and continue to have the event’s structure of both classic and PHRF boats to accommodate as many sailors as possible. Spinnakers and all sail types are welcome. Both the Nantucket Regatta and the Opera House Cup are part of the Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge.
The social events include the Thursday evening NRW Regatta Dinner and the Friday evening fun and casual Sailors Picnic for owners and crew, both at the Great Harbor Yacht Club. On Saturday there is the Classic Yacht Exhibition at the Nantucket Boat Basin, where you can go aboard special, historic craft – which you will be sailing against on Sunday for the Opera House Cup. Then, after Sunday’s Opera House Cup race, the Opera House Cup Awards Party will be at Jetties Beach, again limited to sailors and guests, but with increased capacity which should accommodate all our OHC participants.
Thanks to the generosity of the Nantucket Yacht Club and the Great Harbor Yacht Club, we are pleased to once again offer a limited number of complimentary moorings for our visiting guests. Moorings and dock space fill quickly in Nantucket Harbor, so please make your reservations soon.
Registration is available now at www.operahousecup.org and at www.nantucketraceweek.org. We hope to see you on Nantucket in August!
