From July 29-31, eleven of the world’s largest and most glamorous sailing yachts will race for the inaugural Candy Store Cup Superyacht Edition in Newport, Rhode Island. Newport Shipyard and Bannister’s Wharf have consolidated the Newport Bucket and Candy Store Cup to create this fabulous superyacht event.
Initially, the Candy Store Cup was a quick race around Newport Harbor with 12 Metres and any other boats that wanted to join in, and the Bucket was more of a party for the biggest sailing yachts that had no races to enter,” said Newport Shipyard owner Charlie Dana. “It’s exciting to fast forward several decades later and have this opportunity to bring back the fun, casual atmosphere that was present during those original events and match it with the imagery of these spectacular superyachts.”
The Candy Store Cup is all about sportsmanship and camaraderie, as the pristine superyachts must race to rules specially formulated to keep them safe distances from each other. The format calls for pursuit-style (staggered start) racing on Rhode Island Sound, with one race planned for each of the three days, leaving plenty of time in the afternoons and evenings for socializing. Racing begins at noon off Castle Hill and will provide a stunning visual for those watching from vantage points along the shore of Narragansett Bay’s East Passage, south of the Pell Bridge.
Royal Huisman, Perini Navi, Vitters and Rybovich, which are major players in the superyacht industry and were all stewards of the Newport Bucket, remain sponsors of the Candy Store Cup Newport. Supporting sponsors of the event are Pantaenius Insurance, North Sails, Sentient Jet and Southern Spars / Future Fibres.
The 2016 Candy Store Cup entries are:
Class A
Adix – Schooner – 213′ (65m) – Astilleros PdM / Pendennis – Holgate & Dykstra NA
Columbia – Schooner – 141′ (43m) – W. Starling Burgess / John W. Gilbert & Sons
Meteor – Schooner – 170′ (52m) – Royal Huisman – Dykstra NA
Ranger – J Sloop – 138′ (42m) – Danish Yacht – S&S / Dykstra NA
Sunleigh – Sloop – 105′ (32m) – Jongert – Tony Castro
Zenji – Ketch – 184′ (56m) – Perini-Navi – Ron Holland
Class B
Bequia – Yawl – 92′ (28m) – Brooklin Boat Yard – Stephens
Sapphire III – Sloop – 75′ (23m) – CNB 76 – Philippe Briand
Sejaa – Sloop – 82′ (25m) – JFA, Chantier Naval – Judel & Vrolijk
Sirona –Sloop – 72′ (22m) – Martin Marine – Tripp
Wild Horses – Sloop – 75′ (23m) – Brooklin Boatyard – White
Newport Shipyard, one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the U.S., is a full-service marina and shipyard with over 3,500 linear feet of dock space that can accommodate yachts up to 300+ feet. Its amenities include a dockside café, ship store, fitness center, courtesy vehicles and crew housing. With its friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere and event planning capabilities, Newport Shipyard also is host to many other prestigious yachting events, including the biennial Newport to Bermuda Race Crew Party and the Newport Charter Yacht Show in June.
