As part of Royal Thames Yacht Club’s 250th Anniversary celebrations, the Cornerstone Cup returned in fine style at Queen Mary Sailing Club on September 25-27. This unique 2v2 team racing event brings together four of the world’s most historic yacht clubs, all ICOYC Members: St. Francis Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Royal Thames Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Squadron. Sadly, the Squadron couldn’t field a team this year, but Thames members rose to the occasion by creating a plucky new side – Team 1775 – in honor of the club’s founding year.

The Cornerstone Cup is all about Corinthian spirit: helms must be 35 or older, teams must average at least 40 and every squad includes at least one female sailor.

Day 1 – Wind, Bruises & Cricket
After a warm welcome reception on Wednesday night, racing kicked off Thursday in blustery conditions. Our “slightly older” sailors found themselves put through their paces, and commenting on feeling “a tad battered and cruised”. It was clear StFYC had submitted a good team while RTYC and 1775 Team battled it out for second and third with Team 1775 on top, and NYYC not far behind. That evening, we decided it was time to share a true English tradition with our American guests—cricket! A game we assured them was very well known in the USA…

Day 2 – Light Airs & Thames Pubs
Friday brought the complete opposite: drifting conditions, tactical roll-tacks, and patient boat handling. Once again, StFYC set the pace while RTYC edged back ahead of Team 1775 and NYYC still in the mix. The off-water program involved a relaxed river cruise from Richmond to Chelsea, followed by exploring Chelsea’s finest pubs

Day 3 – The Grand Finale
Saturday dawned with perfect breeze and plenty of gusts to keep things exciting. StFYC swept the honors board, but all eyes were on the Thames teams. The battle between RTYC and Team 1775 came down to the final race and right to the finish line. When RTYC picked up a penalty, it was Team 1775 who claimed Royal Thames bragging rights. NYYC followed close behind in fourth.

StFYC’s crew Jeff Holder shared this recount of the final day’s excitement: “The wind was with plenty of gusts to keep things exciting. At one point our other boat, skippered by Shawn Bennett, lost their spinnaker overboard, where it caught between the keel and the rudder. After getting the kite back on board and clocking a penalty, the chances of this boat catching the other three seemed insurmountable. In 2v2 team racing, the team with the last place boat at the finish loses. I was aboard Molly Carapiet’s boat and she positioned it directly in front of the Team 1775 boat that was closest to her. Proceeding with a chaotic series of gybes on that downwind leg, she kept her boat between the Team 1775 boat and the leeward mark, effectively stopping the other boat from passing her. This bought time for Bennett’s boat to catch up and nip past the other boat by inches to claim 3rd and a victory for StFYC. The maneuvers by Carapiet’s boat in that race were some of the most exciting tactical positioning that I have ever seen.”

StFYC were the well-deserved winners—though perhaps less delighted about lugging their rather heavy silver plate all the way back to San Francisco!

The Cornerstone Cup once again delivered what it does best: great racing, friendly rivalry, and plenty of fun ashore.