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Gold Digger wins historic Nassau Cup

Nassau, Bahamas February 10, 2009. Jim Bishop of the New York Yacht Club took first place in the IRC division of the Miami Nassau ocean race 2009 to win the historic Nassau Cup for a record breaking fourth time in his J/44 yacht Gold Digger.

The Miami Nassau race was first sailed in 1934, and with the exception of the years covering the second world war, was sailed every year until 1988. The race was reinstated by the Nassau Yacht Club as an annual event in 2003, and is co-hosted with the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Miami.

The highly sought after Nassau Cup is emblazened with the names of world famous ocean racing skippers, including that of Ted Turner on his yacht Tenacious. Other noteworthy skippers that have vied for the Cup include Dennis Conner, Dick Bertram, Ted Hood and Bobby Symonette.

The 2009 race started off Miami on Saturday February 7th in breezy onshore conditions generated by a developing high pressure system. Combined with the passage of a cold front only days before, conditions in the Gulf Stream were challenging as the yachts punched to windward through heavy seas, leaving the lights at Great Isaac and Great Stirrup to starboard. With the breeze freshening on Sunday, competitors enjoyed fast and exhilirating sailing down to Nassau as they turned south to pass the Berry Islands and took advantage of the wind on their beam. First boat across the line to win the Coral Harbour Yacht Club Trophy for first to finish, with a time of 24 hours, 4 minutes and 57 seconds was Nova, a Swan 56 skippered by Mark DiStefano.

Nova also took second place in the IRC division, with third place being won by David Caso in his Cherubini 44, Silhouette.

In the PHRF division, first place and the prized Arthur Bosworth Trophy went to Ray Sullivan of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club in his Dufour 44 yacht, Second Wind. Second place was won by Bill Dooley in his Beneteau 51, Critical Path, and third place went to Frank Pingitore on his yacht Ace, a Macgregor 65. The winning crew have further celebrations planned as they sail on from Nassau to cruise the Exuma Islands in the coming months, culminating in the planned marriage of two of the crew members in Cat Island.

The Ministry of Tourism has been a long standing promoter and supporter of the Miami Nassau Race since its reinstatement in 2003, and Janet Johnson, Director of Onshore Communications for the Ministry warmly welcomed the competitors and presented the IRC fleet trophies at a packed awards party at the Nassau Yacht Club on February 9, 2009. Golden Girl Eldece Clarke-Lewis, Sports Tourism Manager at the Ministry was on hand to offer her own congratulations.

Skippers of the winning boats received framed photographs by legendary Bahamian photographer Roland Rose with picures from historical finishes of the Miami Nassau race in years past.

The Miami Nassau race is part of the IRC Gulf Stream series, and the regatta proudly enjoys “Red Hat” status with Mount Gay Rum. In addition to Mount Gay, corporate sponsors of the event are Diamonds International and Prime Bahamas. Tinnyse Johnson, Miss Bahamas World 2008, presented the PHRF fleet trophies on behalf of Diamonds International.

About the co-hosts:

Coral Reef Yacht Club's beautiful clubhouse in Miami, Florida was purchased by its first Board of Directors from the George Engle estate in 1955. Steeped in history and tradition, Coral Reef Yacht Club has grown to be known as a premier yachting center. For over fifty years, sailors from all over the world have entered through the club’s stately royal palmed driveway to participate in some of the best competitions in the world of yacht racing.

The Nassau Yacht Club was founded in 1931 and has been the home of many decorated sailors including an Olympic Gold and Bronze Medal in the Star Class. The Nassau Yacht Club assisted with the Farr 40 World Championships in 2002, and has hosted numerous world championships in the Star and 5.5 Classes, including most recently the 2008 5.5 World Championship series. The club continues to host the Star Western Hemisphere Championships on a regular basis, and will host the Junior International Sunfish Championship and the Sunfish World Championship in 2009. The Nassau Yacht Club has hosted over 75 international regattas in its lifetime and is proud of its reputation for well organized, world class sailing events.

CONTACT: JOHN LAWRENCE (242) 677 1922 john@windermerecm.com

Interested in using IRC?

Owners and Organizing Authorities wishing to adopt IRC for their events should contact US-IRC Executive Director Luiz E. Kahl for help with the process luiz@us-irc.org.

The US SAILING Offshore office administers the IRC rule in the US. Yacht owners should contact Eric Baittinger at irc@ussailing.org for help with certificate application or with rating questions.

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