Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup: Southern YC and Royal Sydney YS continue on top after Day 3; Facebook l
NEWPORT, RI – Racing has just concluded in Narragansett Bay, and a steadily improving Eastern Yacht Club (USA, Boston, Billy Lynn skipper) team won the day with a 2-3-3 scoreline. Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron (AUS, Sydney, Guido Belgiorno-Nettis skipper) were just one point off their pace with a 1-7-1. Southern YC (USA, New Orleans, Marcus Eagan skipper) also had another strong day with a 7-1-2 and continue to lead overall. SYC enjoy a comfortable 9-point lead overall with three races remaining in the 12-race series.
Your Ed. enjoyed the Facebook Live coverage of today's racing with live commentary from my former AC colleagues and longtime friends Tucker Thompson and Andy Green. After the FB Live that Balboa YC put together for this summer's Governor's Cup and Youth Match Racing Worlds, I can attest to how technically challenging it is to do such a live on-the-water production. Today's show wasn't perfect, but it was a good and enjoyable effort that is improving day by day. New York Yacht Club, Rolex and all involved are to be commended.
I just wish the broadcast would refer more to the names of the sailors, not just the clubs. In the time your Ed. listened, I believe I heard mentioned only the names of the NYYC and EYC skippers. It's good the clubs are getting a lot of ink; as our Dear Readers will know, we do our best here on SI to highlight the Clubs, as we are convinced they are a key to the success of our sport and are too often overlooked. But at least this viewer wanted to know more about the sailors, what past events they've won, how old they are, who the tacticians are, who's doing the bow, how many women are on the the boats, who are the youngest and oldest sailors in the regatta, etc.
Sponsor fulfillment aside, the webcast allows friends and family of the 14 teams from around the world to watch the action live to say nothing of the rest of us who might be interested. I hope more clubs, organizers and sponsors of major events will take note and consider doing similar live-streams. These days it does not take a big network TV sponsor and expensive broadcast operation like they have in Australia for spectacular live coverage of the start of the annual Rolex Sydney-Hobart race.
You can watch a replay of today's racing, and tune in for tomorrow's live coverage (1100 EDT / 0800 PDT / 2000 CET) on the regatta Facebook page.
