Newport, R.I., USA (Sept. 19, 2009) – No one knew quite what to expect, even though a year and a half of planning went into getting 19 teams from 14 nations to Newport, R.I., for the inaugural New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. The event, which started on Wednesday (Sept. 16) , and concluded today (Saturday, Sept. 19), was conceived and very well received as a high-profile regatta for amateur yacht club teams. To that end, the New York Yacht Club put forth its best effort not only to host the event but also to field its own team, which won after 11 spectacular races on Rhode Island Sound and Narragansett Bay.

Read more: Regatta Gets High Marks, New York Yacht Club Wins

Newport, R.I., USA (Sept. 18, 2009) – With a third day of competition completed, the 19 teams from 14 nations at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup have sorted themselves on the race course. Among those teams dominating the top five is the New York Yacht Club, which maintained its lead after another four races today on Narragansett Bay where the winds, seemingly in sync with the rhythms of the regatta, moderated to 10-12 knots under brilliantly sunny skies.

We’re striving for consistency,” said NYYC skipper Phil Lotz, who scored a victory today, oddly enough, for the first time in nine races sailed. “It’s tough sailing out there, lots of shifts. We’ve been back in the pack plenty, and we’ve just tried to dig out and finish in the top third – that’s been the game plan.” Lotz explained that when his team has had a less than a stellar start, other teams have been quick to jump on him, and it has been “hard to dig back.”

Read more: Teams Sort Out Before Tomorrow’s Finale: New York Yacht Club Leads

Newport, R.I., USA (Sept. 17, 2009) – With brisk breezes to propel them, the fleet of 19 teams from 14 nations competing at the inaugural New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup worked it hard in four shifty, somewhat unpredictable races on Narragansett Bay today. Irish eyes were smiling aboard the Royal Cork Yacht Club’s entry when skipper Anthony O’Leary won the first two races of the day, but it was the New York Yacht Club’s team led by skipper Phil Lotz (Newport, R.I./New Canaan, Conn.) that made the move to the top of the scoreboard (from second yesterday) when he played the averages for a score line that never left the single digits. (RCYC rounded out its scores today with a 14-7 to secure third place behind yesterday’s leader the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, skippered by Terry McLaughlin.)

Read more: Game On: New York Yacht Club Takes the Lead

Newport, R.I., USA (Sept. 16, 2009) – The Royal Canadian Yacht Club (RCYC) won today’s opening race in the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup and was pre-empted from showing its prowess in a second race when sailing had to be abandoned due to wind and technical difficulties. The race, sailed in lumpy seas and an 18-knot easterly on Rhode Island Sound, started the regatta off with lots of action, as the Canadian boat, helmed by Terry McLaughlin, battled most closely with the New York Yacht Club, Royal Cork Yacht Club (IRL) and Japan Sailing Federation for best position between the start and the first mark two miles to windward.

Read more: Royal Canadian Yacht Club Leads After Abbreviated Day

Newport, R.I., USA (Sept. 15, 2009) – Seemingly overnight, the New York Yacht Club Harbour Court facility has transformed into an international village teeming with hundreds of people, including sailors from 14 nations who have arrived to compete in the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup.

"It’s obvious that a lot of work has gone into this,” said Craig Healy, a Soling world champion who will skipper the St. Francis Yacht Club’s team. “It’s very well organized.” With a Wednesday (Sept. 16) through Saturday (Sept. 19) racing schedule, most of the 19 teams – all of which represent yacht clubs and have adhered to strict guidelines for crew composition -- checked in this past weekend, attended a Swan 42 Performance Symposium, and began practicing on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound on the course once used for America’s Cup races when the New York Yacht Club last hosted that contest here in 1983.

Read more: A Magnificent Show About to Begin