New Blog 2: Sailboat Racing

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Sailboat Racing

Yacht racing is a form of sport reserved for sailing vessels of substantial size and weight. “Yacht” is referred to as deriving from either Norweigian ("jagt"), Middle Low German ("jaght") or from the Dutch word jacht, which means “a swift light vessel of war, commerce or pleasure. The sporting element in the word lies in the derivation of jaght from the root jaghen, which means to hunt, chase or pursue….”[1][2] The phrase yacht racing typically refers to racing of large and often expensive vessels crewed by professional sailors, as opposed to the more generic term sailboat racing which can include small vessels, dinghies and light craft.Not to be confused with yachting, yacht racing's history began in 17th century England and is arguably emarcated by the establishment of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1815. In 1661 John Evelyn recorded a competition between Katherine and Anne, two large royal sailing vessels both of English design, "…the wager 100-1; the race from Greenwich to Gravesend and back.” [3] One of the vessels was owned, and sometimes steered, by Charles II, the King of England. The king lost.In 1782 the Cumberland Fleet, a class of sailing vessel known for its ability to sail close to the wind, were painted racing up the Thames River with spectators viewing from a bridge.[4] Much like today, this obsession with sailing close to the wind with speed and efficiency fueled the racing community.