Continuing its long-standing San Diego tradition, the 34th America’s Schooner Cup Regatta promises to entertain bayfront crowds on Saturday, April 2. Some of the West Coast’s most beautiful traditional vessels will hoist their sails and cross the starting line off Shelter Island between 11:30 a.m. and noon for a good cause.
Some of the best sailors in the world will be sailing pristine restored classic yachts like the 136-foot Bill of Rights built by McCurdy and Young in 1971, or Jerry and Marcia Newton’s lovely 30-foot Maid of Kent built in 1962, along with California’s official tall ship the 142-foot Californian owned by the San Diego Maritime Museum. Built years ago, the survivors of that golden era are unmistakably classics.
“More than any other type of vessel, the schooner has migrated from the pages of history and into the world of legend, art, and poetry that we all claim as part of our culture,” said Raymond Ashley, president/CEO of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
The public is invited to watch the race from shore – or book a spot aboard the majestic schooner the Californian. The race will start and finish from the public beach on Shelter Island between 11:30 a.m.-noon located across the street from Silver Gate Yacht Club, at 2091 Shelter Island Drive.
“The regatta draws schooners of all size and vintages racing on a course designed to make it easy for the public to watch the start and finish from Shelter Island,” said Jerry Newton a longtime regatta volunteer and schooner owner. “It’s fun for everyone, and the regatta has raised a significant amount of money over the years for our charity, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.”
This year, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines is a major sponsor, providing an inaugural cruise on their new ship, “Icon of the Seas,” tentatively scheduled for its maiden voyage next year. A raffle drawing will be held on April 2, to determine the winner of the cruise.
“Silver Gate Yacht Club is honored to host the 34th annual America’s Schooner Cup Charity Regatta,” said Lisa Clements, regatta director. “As many as 16 schooners are expected this year and for the first time, a second regatta course has been added to allow the smaller Intergalactic fleet to race in the Shelter Island Basin. The second race will start at 12:30 p.m.”
Maritime history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to join in on a fun day on the water. Tickets to sail aboard Californian for the 2022 America’s Schooner Cup provide participants with a unique race experience that puts visitors right in the middle of the schooner action on the water. Designed for speed, Californian has seven sails, carries 7,000 square feet of canvas, and is armed with four six-pound deck guns. Guests can purchase tickets from the Maritime Museum of San Diego at https://sdmaritime.org. Additional information is available at www.AmericasSchoonerCup.com.
