Royal St George Yacht Club respond to RORC’s announcement regarding the return of the Admiral’s Cup to Cowes

While some might consider that the Admiral’s Cup is now back on track and where it belongs, others may see this latest development as further tampering with an event that is fast losing credibility. Either way, this latest announcement will doubtless start a new round of frank discussion. Whether this latest move can resuscitate the event remains to be seen.

In the meantime, here’s the official words from the RORC and now from the Royal St George Yacht Club

RORC ‘The Commodore of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Peter Rutter, announced today that the Admiral’s Cup for 2003 would take place in Cowes from 10 to 23 July 2003 and not in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland as previously announced. Peter Rutter explained that the RORC and the Royal St George Yacht Club had not been able to agree the criteria required to run an event at the highest level of international sailing.

‘The Admiral’s Cup has always been the premier RORC event and has been run by them since its inception. The RORC Commodore feels that it is imperative that this situation should continue. ‘In returning to Cowes, the RORC will retain the 2 boat Club team and classes that had been previously announced, and the inshore racing will take place in the Solent. The long offshore race will be the Wolf Rock Race. The Admiral’s Cup will be run in co-operation with the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The RORC has been encouraged by the enthusiasm and interest shown in the 2003 event and intends to publish the Notice of Race by 16 November 2002.’

For further details and schedule see RORC Admiral’s Cup news

STATEMENT BY THE ROYAL ST GEORGE YACHT CLUB

The Royal St George Yacht Club (RStGYC) has issued a statement on Wednesday 30th October 2002

The Royal St George Yacht Club (RStGYC) has issued a statement on Wednesday 30th October 2002 expressing its regret and disappointment at the announcement by The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) of their decision to cancel the Admiral’s Cup event in Dun Laoghaire next July.

In their announcement issued yesterday RORC stated “the RORC and the Royal St George Yacht Club had not been able to agree the criteria required to run an event at the highest level of international sailing”.

The RStGYC was first notified of the unilateral decision to cancel this event in Dun Laoghaire at 8pm on Tuesday 29th October 2002. This decision of RORC was released 24 hours later allowing no opportunity for discussion on the decision.

The RStGYC is shocked and upset at this sudden turn of events, particularly as discussions had commenced as far back as January 2002 resulting in a formal agreement in May 2002.

The RStGYC wishes to put on record that it is not aware of any “criteria required to run an event at the highest level of international sailing” upon which the RORC and the RStGYC have not been able to agree.

The RStGYC has considerable experience in the management of major sailing events including in recent years ISAF World, European and National championships.

It was part of the formal agreement that the RORC would lead the “on the water” activities (which includes race management) and that the RStGYC would lead the “on shore” activities for the event. On the water: The following had been agreed:

(a) Outline of the event

(b) Team entry criteria

(c) Provisional race schedule

(d) Boat criteria (IRC endorsed and IMS 600)

(e) Crewing qualification

(f) Appointment of Principal Race Officer and Assistant Race Officer

On shore: Substantial progress had been made in the following areas: (a) Offers of significant sponsorship have been secured including title and co-sponsor

(b) Television Production with International distribution

(c) Assembly of local volunteer group

(d) Provision of accommodation reservation service

(e) Outline of social programme

(f) Appointment of event public relations service provider

(g) Securing the support of national and local dignitaries and local authorities

The RStGYC does not propose to make any further comment on this matter.

The Royal St George Yacht Club see RStGYC Web Site