The Candy Store Cup organizers have added a Corinthian Spirit class to this year’s superyacht regatta, slated to be held July 27-29, 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island. The Candy Store Cup, in its second year owned and organized by Newport Shipyard and Bannister’s Wharf, is an invitational superyacht regatta hosting yachts 90-feet and above for three days of racing and shoreside social soirees. The regatta’s Notice of Race (NOR), including more information about the Corinthian Spirit class, can be read on the regatta Web site: www.candystorecup.com/nor

“The marina at Newport Shipyard is nearly at capacity for July and August and many of these yachts have given their expression of interest to race,” said Eli Dana, general manager of Newport Shipyard. “We are very excited about the level of interest in this year’s regatta and we want to also include yachts who prefer racing without a spinnaker and/or with a smaller crew,” Dana explained. “The Corinthian Spirit class, which was very well received at last month’s St Barth’s Bucket, opens our event to more participants and provides an opportunity for owners and guests to have fun racing against other boats with a similar set-up,” Dana said.

Peter Craig, the Candy Store Cup’s Principal Race Officer (PRO), who is also the PRO for the St. Barth’s Bucket, supports having a Corinthian Spirit class at superyacht regattas. “One captain wrote an email to me the day after the St Barth’s Bucket concluded saying the owners of his yacht ‘thoroughly enjoyed the event and have already put it in their diary for 2018’. They would not have raced this year if the Corinthian Spirit Class did not exist,” Craig said. “We carried out a few adjustments in St Barth’s to keep the Corinthian Spirit ratings fair for everyone and will continue to fine tune the Corinthian Spirit rules to make the class as safe but easy to enter as possible,” Craig said.

“Sixteen yachts have given their expression of interest for the Candy Store Cup and we are planning on 18-20 yachts in total,” Dana continued. “We had a great turnout last year and plan to build on that so yacht owners, captains and guests keep this regatta and Newport on their calendars indefinitely,” Dana concluded.

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Candy Store Cup Presenting Partners: Royal Huisman, Perini Navi, Rybovich and Vitters.

Candy Store Cup Supporting Partners: KHV Industries, North Sails, Sentient Jet,
Southern Spars & Future Fibres and Willis Towers Watson.

More information about the Candy Store Cup, including a list of yachts who have given their expression of interest, can be found on the regatta Web site: www.CandyStoreCup.com

About Newport Shipyard & Bannister’s Wharf

Newport Shipyard, one of the most popular and recommended shipyards in the U.S., is a full-service marina and shipyard with 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 Newport Charter Yacht Show, Oliver Hazard Perry Gala, Newport Yacht Rendezvous benefitting the Boys & Girls Club of Newport County and the J Class World Championship.

Bannister's Wharf, situated in downtown Newport, attracts visitors and locals alike with 20 shops and galleries that offer a diverse selection of life’s niceties. The social and gourmet focal point of Bannister's Wharf, and some say of Newport itself, is the Clarke Cooke House / Candy Store and in the midst of the eclectic dining and shopping experiences are the Bannister's Wharf Guestrooms and Marina, which put visitors and yachtsmen in the company of the fine racing and cruising yachts for which Newport has become justly famous.

CANDY STORE CUP ORAGANIZERS ANNOUNCE CORINTHIAN SPIRIT CLASS