55.1 F
Wrightsville Beach
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Historic replica yacht America set for Friday arrival at Carolina Yacht Club

Must read

By Elly Colwell

Intern

When the historic racing yacht America outraced a powerful English ship in 1851, it started a sailing movement in the United States that helped give birth to the Carolina Yacht Club. Now, the local sailing club that was established just two years after that influential victory will be hosting a replica of the classic schooner for members and visitors to tour upon its arrival Friday, Sept. 23.

“America represents everything the Carolina Yacht Club was created to do,” said club manager Kevin Smith. “The yacht club was founded around local sailors and the same spirit of sailing that fueled America’s success.”

The America replica will be docked at the yacht club and staff has organized free public tours this weekend. These tours, taking place Friday, Saturday and Monday, will allow viewers to step aboard the 139-foot-long schooner and talk with the captain and crew.

Carolina Yacht Club has also provided the opportunity for the public to purchase tickets to sail on the America. Sailing excursions will occur in groups of up to 73 passengers and will consist of motoring out of the inlet and setting sail for a short period of time.

“There may be opportunities for the passengers to help the crew,” Smith said. “In the past, they have asked if passengers would help manually raise the sails. There could be 30 people hauling them up.”

America made its mark on history in 1851 when it won England’s £100 Cup regatta. It was the first of many competitions in the history of a race that continues to occur today, though the competition is now known as America’s Cup as a tribute to the first winning vessel.

The yacht represents a moment in history when the United States was beginning to showcase its strength in the international community.

“Having a really fast boat back then was like having a really fast plane or train today,” said Madeline Flagler, director of Wrightsville Beach Museum of History. “That was how things were transported, and it translated to mean you were the top dog.”

The victory for America came at a time when Flagler said our nation was beginning to compete economically in the world. The initial win and subsequent 132-year stretch of holding the cup showcased U.S. prestige.

The replica of this historic vessel is based out of San Diego, and the chance to see it in Wrightsville Beach is unique, Smith said. 

This opportunity for the Wrightsville Beach community came as part of an East Coast tour of the replica, where Captain Troy Sears and his crew will serve as official ambassadors of the America’s Cup. The yacht will travel north to Maine before heading back south with its final destination being the 35th America’s Cup, which will be contested in Bermuda in June 2017.

“The goal of this tour is to celebrate the event’s storied history and infuse a new level of excitement and involvement in the America’s Cup now and for a generation to come,” Sears said.

- Advertisement -spot_img

More articles

- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest articles