They came from all over the world, descending on Manhasset Bay this past week with their flags, sponsors and boats in tow.
The trip to Long Island was for glory out on the waters as the wind whipped through their sails and they vied for a shot at the annual Knickerbocker Cup.
The race was the third of four “Grand Slam” events in match racing – a series of round-robin style, head-to-head heats between teams to determine the cup’s standings – that culminates with the winner getting an invitation to the Congressional Cup in Long Beach, Calif.
“You’re out there to beat the other boat, that’s all,” said Bonnie Doran, a co-chair of the 32nd annual event and a real estate agent with Daniel Gale Sotheby International Realty.
Teams were comprised of five members.
Teams competing in this year’s Knickerbocker Cup were from Great Britain, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, in addition to the United States.
“If you were to equate this to baseball, this would be the minor leagues because these guys are all right there,” said Dan Coughlin, who provided sailboat racing concierge services during the cup. “They’re the future stars of the sport.”
Switzerland’s Eric Monnin and Team Sailbox won this year’s Knickerbocker Cup, which began last Wednesday and ended Sunday.
Pierre Antoine Morvan and the Vannes Agglo Sailing Team, of France, finished second and Sweden’s Johnie Berntsson and the Pequot Yacht Club placed third.
Doran said the quarterfinal round races were briefly postponed on Thursday and Friday due to low wind pressure on the water.
“This is a sport that is completely dependent on wind,” she said. “It’s everything.”
The event was sponsored by Investors Bank, Knickerbocker Bay Club, the Americana Manhasset, Daniel Gale Sotheby International Realty and the Manhasset Bay Sailing Foundation.
Proceeds from the Knickerbocker Cup benefited the St. Francis Hospital Foundation and the Knickerbocker Cup Foundation. A gala honoring the racers, event and team sponsors and the Manhasset Bay Yacht Club, which served as the venue, was held Saturday night.
