Newport, R.I. — After a challenging opening day, the Japan Sailing Federation team made a strong comeback on Day 2 of the 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, achieving a fourth and a first place finish in their first two races. Although a 14th place finish in the third race moderated their excitement, team principal Masuhiro Bamba was pleased to accept the prize for winning Race 5.
“We had a completely different day from Day 1,” said tactician Hiroki Goto. “We had a lot to prove. We knew something was getting better before the start and then good things happened in Race 1 and we finished fourth. In the second race, we had even better wind from the left and we took the lead [at the first mark].”
However, the competition was fierce with the top two teams, San Diego Yacht Club and Royal Canadian Yacht Club, trailing closely behind. The Japanese team led through the gate mark but lost ground to the Canadian team on the final tack of the second upwind leg. Goto expressed their joy at winning the race: “In the last downwind, we passed the leader and won the race, which was our dream from Day 1. The long briefing last night paid off.”
The Royal Canadian Yacht Club dominated Day 2 with a total of ten points across three races, gaining a point on San Diego and now sits second overall, five points out of first place and ten points ahead of the Royal Thames Yacht Club in third. Team member Scott Collinson commented, “It was an interesting day. We had done a lot of homework on that course. We really wanted to make sure that we understood what we thought was going to happen and it played out.”
Collinson, who is participating in the Invitational Cup for the second time, praised the team dynamic, stating, “I love the boat, I just think it is a fantastic platform, and love the racing that we do in it. I’m blessed and grateful to be sailing with this next generation team.”
All teams enjoyed favourable conditions, with strong yet manageable winds and the absence of rain. Three races were completed by early afternoon, allowing for a relaxed post-race social event. The flat waters of Narragansett Bay provided better conditions than the previous day’s offshore swell, although racing in these waters typically presents more tactical challenges.
Royal Cork Yacht Club showed notable improvement, finishing third on the day after a challenging start to the regatta. They have been steadily rising in the standings, finishing today with a second after starting with a 14th place in Race 1. However, the forecast indicates that conditions may lighten, posing additional challenges for all competitors as the regatta continues.
The 2025 Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup is set to continue until Saturday, September 13. The first race tomorrow will begin at 10:30 a.m. (EDT), with live coverage available on YouTube and Facebook.
Results after Day 2
1. San Diego Yacht Club (20 points)
2. Royal Canadian Yacht Club (25 points)
3. Royal Thames Yacht Club (35 points)
4. Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (37.6 points)
5. Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (38 points)
6. Royal Swedish Yacht Club (40 points)
7. New York Yacht Club (47 points)
8. Royal Cork Yacht Club (49 points)
9. Corinthian Yacht Club (52 points)
10. Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (58 points)
11. Eastern Yacht Club (63 points)
12. Japan Sailing Federation (64 points)
13. Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (72 points)
14. Yacht Club Punta del Este (75 points)
15. Howth Yacht Club (76 points)
16. Royal Irish Yacht Club (88 points)
17. Yacht Club Argentino (95 points)
18. Yacht Club Italiano (100 points)
19. Yacht Club de Ilhabela (101 points)
20. Itchenor Sailing Club (106 points)
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