March 12, 2021
NANTUCKET – The 49th Opera House Cup Regatta, the grand dame of classic wooden boat regattas and which benefits Nantucket Community Sailing, will be held in Nantucket Sound on Sunday, August 22, 2021. “We surveyed many Opera House Cup boat owners, and are pleased to announce that we are making some changes to the race in response to their comments, while maintaining the history and traditions of this beloved regatta,” said Phil Smith, Opera House Cup Committee Chair.
The changes to the regatta include:
- Use the four Classic Yacht Owner’s Association (CYOA) Divisions, for consistency with the other CYOA Series regattas
- Divisions for one design classes, such as Alerion, Wianno Senior, and Concordia
- Award up to two Overall Trophies – for the plank-on-frame boat with the best corrected time and for the boat with the best corrected time
- Pursuit start based on CRF 2021 handicap
- Addition of a windward leg, with the option for schooners to sail a separate reaching course
- The Invitational Division for boats not eligible to compete for the Opera House Cup Trophy but contribute to the overall spectacle of the regatta
What remains the same:
- All boats must have a wooden hull or be historically significant
- Spinnakers are not allowed
- Amateur and family crews are encouraged
- The two-day Nantucket Regatta precedes the Opera House Cup and is open to boats with a CRF or PHRF rating, spinnakers allowed
- Both the Opera House Cup and the Nantucket Regatta are part of the CYOA 2021 Classic Yachts Challenge Series
“We look forward to welcoming new and returning competitors in this glorious celebration of wooden boats,” said Diana Brown, President and Chief Executive of Nantucket Community Sailing. “This event helps get children out on the water and develop a life-long love of sailing.”
For further information: www.operahousecup.org or info@operahousecup.org
