Rappahannock River Yacht Club in Irvington will host the 5th National Typhoon Championship Regatta June 8 through 10.
Sailors are expected to come from Portland, Maine, Syracuse, N.Y. and Muskegon, Mich., and elsewhere to compete. This event is the largest gathering of Cape Dory Typhoons in the world, reported Stephanie Chaufournier.
Capt. Jim Key, who sails Key to Happiness, is coming for his fourth time making the 815 mile, 12+ hour trek.
“It’s all worth it to sail with such great people in a great little yacht,” said Key.
The Typhoon Regatta is the perfect event for experienced racers as well as first time racers, said Chaufournier. A Champion fleet attracts the competitive racers and a Corinthian fleet is designed specifically for those who may have never raced before or who just want to get out and have fun.
The Typhoon racing tradition started in 1992 when five identically restored Typhoons competed in their first regatta on the Rappahannock River, she said. This tradition has continued and now includes weekly Wednesday races in the spring and fall.
In addition to RRYC’s Typhoon fleet on Carter Creek, Typhoon fleets have expanded locally to the Corrotoman, Piankatank and Great Wicomico rivers. For any sailors who need assistance bringing their Typhoons from afar, RRYC sailors are on standby ready to help.
To sign up for the event, visit wwwrryc.org.
