The New York Yacht Club/ Rolex Transatlantic Challenge was announced for a May 18, 2002 start off of Sandy Hook, NJ The event, which began in 1997, challenges yachts 85 feet and longer to break the record crossing of 12 days, 4 hours, and one minute, set in 1905 by the 185-foot Atlantic. A Performance Cruising Division has also been added for modern yachts in addition to a Classic Division for design dates of 1950 or earlier, and a Sprit of Tradition Division for yachts designed 1951 or later. The Classic and Spirit Divisions will start May 18th while the Performance Cruisers race overnight to Newport, RI before returning to Sandy Hook for the start of the transatlantic race. The course runs from Sandy Hook to the Lizard off Cornwall, England. The Royal Yacht Squadron has partnered with the NYYC to organize finish festivities and a June 6th race around the Isle of Wight. In 1997 the event had 16 yachts ranging from 85 to 183 feet long, and organizers are anticipating reaching their fleet limit of 50 superyachts gathering to challenge the eastbound record.