Third annual Cape-to-Cape Challenge this weekend

The third annual Cape-to-Cape Challenge between the Lewes Yacht Club and the Corinthian Yacht Club of Cape May, N.J., will take place this weekend with races Friday and Saturday, Aug. 5-6.

On Friday, sailors will compete in two buoy races offshore from Cape May followed by the Cape-to-Cape Challenge Aug. 6. Starting line is off Cape May near Trenton Avenue beach, and the finish line is in front of the Lewes Yacht Club. This distance race transit is about 18 miles.

There are two classes of boat, a spinnaker and nonspinnaker fleet, otherwise referred to as racing and cruising fleets. Prizes will be awarded to both fleets for first-, second- and third-place boats combining the three races.

The race has grown to include nearly 30 boats in competition for the Challenge Cup, almost doubling the fleet size from the inaugural event two years ago. The Avalon Cup was held July 31 as a feeder race to Cape May in preparation for the Cape-to-Cape Challenge.

The first race begins at 12:30 p.m., Aug. 5 offshore Cape May for the two buoy races.  The challenge race starts at 11 a.m., Aug. 6. Depending on the wind, boats could arrive in Lewes within two to three hours, but organizers have allowed a six-hour time limit for the first boat to finish. Boats failing to finish within two hours of the first boat in their class to complete the race will be scored with a did not finish.

For more information, contact Janet Davis at 545-5733.