CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup To Bring World's Top Sailors To New York Harbor
Four of the world's top 10 ranked sailors have confirmed their entries in North America's most prestigious and richest professional sailing competition. The CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup, to be sailed in New York Harbor from September 23 to September 27, 1998, will feature a total of 12 professional skippers, many of whom represent syndicates preparing for the next America's Cup which begins in Auckland, New Zealand in October 1999. The New York Harbor competition will be held in the same match racing one-on-one format used in the America's Cup. Sailors will compete for an $80,000 prize purse.
"We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of this event. Teamwork is necessary for our organization to succeed and this race is an example of how teamwork can help win the race," said Dennis Kane, president-Special Risk Facilities for CIGNA Property & Casualty, one of the CIGNA divisions sponsoring the event.
Kurt A. Weimer, president and general manager of CIGNA HealthCare of the Tri-State region, noted, "CIGNA HealthCare recognizes the benefits of the athletic activities involved in the sport of sailing. With our support of the CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup, we are endorsing the advantages of a healthy, active lifestyle."
America's Cup Contenders
Leading the list of confirmed entrants is Australian Peter Gilmour, the number one ranked skipper in the world and reigning world champion of match race sailing. He leads the Nippon Challenge for the America's Cup, considered by many to be one of the strongest challengers.
World number two-ranked skipper Chris Law of Great Britain has won three tour titles already this year and is affiliated with the British America's Cup syndicate. Third ranked Peter Holmberg is co-founder and skipper of Team Caribbean, based in St. Thomas, USVI. Ed Baird (USA), currently ranked number 10 is the skipper designate for the New York Yacht Club's Young America syndicate. Skippers from the French Yaka Challenge, Italy's Prada Challenge, and Team New Zealand, the defending champion of the America's Cup, are also expected to compete in the event.
The CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup is one of 15 Grade One events on the World Match Racing Association's Pro Sailing Tour. This is the second year that CIGNA is the title sponsor. The Knickerbocker Yacht Club in Port Washington, NY inaugurated the competition in 1982, and continues to host the event. Past winners include sailing legends such as Russell Coutts, Paul Cayard, Dave Dellenbaugh and Ed Baird.
ESPN will broadcast a 30-minute highlights show of the CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup on Sunday, November 29, 1998, at 2:00 pm (EST).
Unlike the emphasis on technology that has become the trademark of the America's Cup, the CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup represents the ultimate test of teamwork and tactical skill. Teams in New York Harbor will race in identically fitted J-105 yachts, and the outcome will depend solely on the skill of the helmsman and crew, not necessarily the design of the boat. There is an edge of excitement that only this type of racing can bring. With the action taking place close to shore and live commentary for those watching on the water and ashore, sailboat racing becomes a viable spectator sport.
North Cove/World Financial Center Site
For the first time the CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup will be staged entirely on the Manhattan side of New York Harbor, with the racing on a course located between Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Race boats will be docked at North Cove; VIP areas, press conference staging and event offices will be located at Edward Moran Bar and Grill on the World Financial Center plaza area.
The CIGNA Pro-Am Regatta featuring media and local personalities will take place on Wednesday, September 23 beginning at 2:00 pm. This popular event will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of New York City. Nightly press conferences featuring the event athletes will be held at the World Financial Center plaza.
Children's Dream Foundation and Discover Sailing
On Saturday, September 26, a new program will be presented by CIGNA HealthCare with free sailboat rides given by Discover Sailing. As a sponsor of the PBS's animated series Adventures from The Book of Virtues, CIGNA HealthCare will bring young people to North Cove to sail with the professional competitors, and to meet characters from the series. The purpose of the program is to link "the virtues" with the skills required for sailing, and to introduce children who have recently suffered illnesses to the sport. The Children's Dream Foundation, a Hudson Valley-based non-profit organization that provides services to children being treated in area hospitals, will designate the participants. Additional children will include raffle winners from area mall programs promoting the PBS series. Discover Sailing's program is designed to introduce newcomers to the sport of sailing.
Sponsors
In addition to the title sponsor CIGNA, a number of companies are supporting the CIGNA Knickerbocker Cup. Supporting sponsors include: Continental Airlines, Iridium, Shadow Traffic, Sperry Top-Sider, Anheuser- Busch, Yachting magazine, INC magazine, GANT USA, J-Boats, Master Marine, North Cove Yacht Harbor, Marriott Hotel, Boat US, and Dun and Robinson.