RAYC’s very own Menace Yachting has headed over to New York Yacht Club for a second year to compete in the oldest regatta in North America. Last year, Life Member Howard Spencer took a real plunge, flying with his crew from New Zealand, and stepping onto an IC37 for the first time, winning his class debut in the Round the Island Race that traditionally kicks off the New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta. This year Menace proved it wasn’t a fluke, doubling up on their first-place trophies winning not just the Round Island Race, but cleaning up in the weekend series as well!
“It’s a long way from the other side of the world,” says Spencer. “In the IC37 class, you have a better than fair chance of winning, the boats are pretty even—which is what you want in a one-design class. Being able to roll in here, pick up a boat, put some new sails on it and be competitive is fantastic.”
There was some very tough competition to keep at bay, with two previous winners breathing down their necks. However, it didn’t faze the stellar Menace crew who seized the win in the final race of the regatta, sealing their fates as the winners of the 169th Annual Regatta (IC37 Class).
“The last race today was the most terrific race,” he says. “We got there somehow, we had two boats close behind [in the overall standings] and, trying to keep those two boats behind us, [tactician] Chris Steele did a great job there.”
Congratulations to the whole crew many of who are club members, we look forward to seeing you all back down here soon to celebrate.
