Race
Onboard Schooner "America"
With America's Cup Legend Dennis Conner
The McNish Classic in Oxnard, CA
- August 1, 2009
Dennis Conner needs no introduction. He is America's most famous sailor, having won the America's Cup multiple times on his Stars & Stripes yachts. Recently, Dennis has begun participating in some classic yacht racing. He restored the legendary "Cotton Blossom II" and campaigned her in the Mediterranean under the flag of Yacht Club de Monaco.
Back in San Diego, Dennis acquired the Sparkman & Stephens design "Brushfire." In 2008, Dennis invited Commodore Michael Fortenbaugh to compete with him in the McNish Classic in Oxnard, CA. The results were pure Dennis, "Best Looking Yacht," "First to Finish" and "First Overall." A clean sweep
Based on this success, Dennis
is inviting more sailors from Manhattan Sailing Club to
join him in next year's McNish Classic. And the yacht he will race is none
other than the schooner "America!"
"America" is the yacht which started the whole America's Cup. The original America was built in New York City and then sailed to England to compete against the best British boats. In the legendary 1851 Isle of Wight Race, America beat the whole Royal Squadron fleet, winning the 100 Guinea Cup which was renamed the America's Cup.
In the 1990s, a replica of the schooner America was built. She has traveled to Europe, visited North Cove and was until recently, based out of Key West. Now, she sails on San Diego Bay. Dennis has chartered the "America" for next year's McNish Classic regatta and is inviting members of the Manhattan Sailing Club to come along.
This is one of the most incredible sailing opportunities available to club members. You will get to sail with Dennis Conner, "Mr. America's Cup." That alone is a story you can tell for decades. In addition, you will also get to race aboard the Schooner "America," the yacht that started it all. And finally, you will get to experience some sailing and socializing in California.
There are 3 tiers of participation in this event. The top level includes living aboard "America" and doing some passage making. There is also a level for participating only in the race and social events. The 3 levels are:
Gold Level
$2,250 includes passage making opportunity, visit to Catalina, 3 nights living
aboard America and all meals
- Wednesday - arrive in San Diego. Crew meeting & boat briefing. Nighttime departure to Catalina Island.
- Thursday - arrive at Catalina, opportunity to go ashore, evening dinner at tip of island, nighttime departure for Oxnard.
- Friday - arrive Oxnard in morning. Clean ship, prepare for arrival of rest of crew, afternoon practice sail in ocean.
- Saturday - race day, cocktail party & awards ceremony. Disembark boat and check into hotel (luxury Embassy Suites Hotel on the beach is recommended).
- Sunday, train to Los Angeles & fly to NYC, or train to San Diego to greet America on her arrival and fly back Monday.
Silver Level
$1,950
includes passage making opportunity, 2 nights living aboard America and all
meals
- Thursday - fly to Los Angeles and take train to Oxnard, check into hotel (luxury Embassy Suites Hotel on ocean is recommended).
- Friday - Greet America upon her arrival, clean ship, prepare for afternoon practice sail in ocean, stay in hotel for night.
- Saturday - race day, cocktail party & awards ceremony, load gear onto America, nighttime departure heading back to San Diego.
- Sunday - arrive San Diego, wrap-up dinner and drinks onboard, sleep aboard.
- Monday - fly back to NYC
Bronze Level
$750
includes 2 days of sailing aboard America, meals and social parties
- Thursday - fly to Los Angeles and take train to Oxnard, check into hotel (luxury Embassy Suites Hotel on ocean is recommended).
- Friday - Greet America upon her arrival, clean ship, prepare for afternoon practice sail in ocean.
- Saturday - race day, cocktail party & awards ceremony.
- Sunday, train to Los Angeles & fly to NYC or take train to San Diego and greet America on her arrival, then fly back to NYC on Monday
Participants are responsible for their own airfare and hotel accommodations. The Schooner America is located about 10 minutes from the San Diego airport. To get to Oxnard, you can fly to LAX and rent a car or take a train. In Oxnard, the best hotel is the Embassy Suites located on the beach. There are other hotels nearby as well.
When in San Diego or Oxnard, the Schooner America will have a chef onboard and prepare meals for all participants.
The Schooner America is 139 foot overall. In addition to being a beautiful wooden vessel with varnish, teak decks and a classic interior, she is capable of speeds up to 15 knots. Come be part of this historic event!