The New York Yacht Club Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex will integrate AMERICAP II handicap racing into the first part of its two-part regatta, which takes place July 12-21.

Traditionally reserved for IMS and PHRF-rated yachts, Race Week’s first session begins on 12 July and finishes on the 16 July, followed by a session for one-design racing from 18-21 July. (A daylong distance race on 17 July is an option for either fleet.) For the handicap portion of the event, teams will be able to race AMERICAP II or be dual-scored if they submit both AMERICAP II and PHRF certificates.

AMERICAP II is a measurement rule for varying boats that, like IMS, uses velocity prediction techniques to produce ratings that recognise changes in wind strength and/or race courses. To make it more user-friendly than IMS, many of the measurements, like with PHRF, are owner declared rather than measurer certified, and a simplified scoring system makes it easy for the race committee to score and administer the rule.

“If IMS is the Mercedes of handicap systems and PHRF the Volkswagen, AMERICAP II is the Audi, with complexity and administrative costs somewhere in-between,” said Rear Commodore George Hinman. “Last year, for the first time, we offered AMERICAP II as a choice at the NYYC Cruise and Annual Regatta. Our race managers are still experimenting with it as are boat owners, but, for instance, St Francis Yacht Club is using AMERICAP II exclusively now for its Big Boat Series and the Chicago-Mackinac Race has introduced it.”

Hinman believes 20 per cent of the approximately 100 boats expected to participate in the first half of Race Week will have AMERICAP II certificates. Boats being dual-scored for PHRF and AMERICAP II will be eligible for respective class prizes that include Rolex watches.

Rolex Watch USA has been the exclusive presenting sponsor of NYYC events since 1994. Supporting sponsors include Mount Gay Rum and Heineken USA. Shore-side activities will be hosted at the NYYC’s Harbour Court in Newport. Entries are due in the Sailing Office at Harbour Court no later than Friday, 28 June 28. For further information visit www.nyyc.org or contact the Sailing Office by email at sailingoffice@nyyc.org or 401-845-9633.