NEWPORT, RI — The New York Yacht Club's Annual Regatta, which serves this year as the first phase of the classic Onion Patch Series, will be staged this weekend with almost 90 boats registered to race. A great deal of attention out on the racecourse will be focused on three maxis that are tuning up for next week's Newport to Bermuda Race: George Coumantaros' Boomerang, Larry Ellison's Sayonara, and Jim Dolan's Sagamore. Also among the competitors will be six classic 12-Meters: Columbia, Courageous, Intrepid, Weatherly, Fiddler and Nefertiti. Each of the first four of these now-restored racers has a successful defense of the America's Cup to its credit.
The Onion Patch Series 2000 for the IMS North American Championship will consist of five races, two in Newport this weekend, the Bermuda Race, and two more to be staged on Bermuda's Great Sound. Watch for a Bermuda Race preview feature on SailNet.com next Wednesday.