Howth Yacht Club has confirmed its final team selection for one of the top events in world amateur sailing: the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, taking place in Newport, Rhode Island, from 6-13 September 2025.
This elite Corinthian regatta is hosted biennially by the New York Yacht Club and welcomes leading international yacht clubs to compete in identically matched IC37s, designed by Wicklow's Mark Mills. The Invitational Cup is raced under strict one-design rules, with no professional sailors permitted and a maximum of one non-club member per crew.
The Howth Yacht Club team has been training intensively since late 2023 aboard Cape 31 Adrenaline, a high-performance one-design keelboat also by Mark Mills. The team has been competing on the Cape 31 Mediterranean Circuit, where Adrenaline currently lies a highly commendable 3rd overall in the 22-boat fleet. This campaign has provided the perfect platform to choose the key team members, refine skills, communication and boat-handling required for success in Newport.
Meet the HYC Team:
Darren Wright – Skipper & Helmsman
Darren Wright – Skipper & Helmsman of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
Co-owner of Adrenaline, Darren has spearheaded the Cape 31 campaign with this event firmly in his sights. His leadership has guided the team to top finishes across the Mediterranean series.
Ewan McMahon – Tactician
Ewan McMahon – Tactician of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
One of Ireland’s top Olympic hopefuls for Los Angeles 2028 in the ILCA class, Ewan combines elite-level strategic thinking with one-design experience from the Cape 31 circuit.
Nigel Biggs - Mainsail / Strategy
Nigel Biggs - Mainsail/Strategist of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
A long-standing HYC member and newly appointed International Race Officer with Irish Sailing, Nigel brings decades of race-winning experience. Last week, he took his First 50 Checkmate XX to dominate the Coastal Class at the Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta, finishing with a perfect scoreline and four wins.
Jonny Sargent - Mast
Jonny Sargent - Mast man of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
Fresh from completing his degree, Jonny has thrown himself into high-level sailing. His strength and agility in the mast role have earned him spots on top international teams.
Sienna Wright - Trim
Sienna Wright - Trimmer of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
Silver medallist at the ILCA 6 Youth European Championships in 2024, Sienna may be the youngest sailor on the team, but she brings big-race experience and composure far beyond her years.
Faye Chatterton - Bow
Faye Chatterton - Bow of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
A standout product of the British Olympic pathway, Faye campaigned for Paris 2024 in the 470 class. She joins the crew as the only non-HYC member, permitted under NYYC rules, and will be racing in Newport for the first time.
Brian Turvey - Trim / Pit
Brian Turvey Trimmer of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
Former HYC Commodore and two-time Howth 17-footer national champion, Brian sailed on the 2021 HYC team and brings valuable event experience and composure to the middle of the boat.
Rocco Wright - Forward Trim
Rocco Wright - Forward Trim of the Howth Yacht Club entry in the 2025 New York Invitational Cup
Rocco was one of the youngest ever to compete at the Invitational Cup when he raced for HYC in 2021. Since then, he’s won the ILCA 6 Men’s European Championship and gold at the World Youth Championships, making him one of Ireland’s brightest young sailing stars. He is the son of Darren and older brother to Sienna, completing a rare family trio in the HYC crew.
Coaching Support: Jesse Fielding
To sharpen their IC37 performance, the team has enlisted Jesse Fielding, Head Offshore Sailing Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. Jesse is an experienced IC37 sailor and has competed in premier international events such as the Rolex Fastnet, Transatlantic Race, and Sydney–Hobart. His tactical expertise and knowledge of the local racing scene in Newport will be a key advantage
Road to Newport
As part of their final preparations, the team will race in the Safe Harbor Regatta (5–11 August) in Newport, going head-to-head with several other Invitational Cup teams under regatta conditions. This will serve as a crucial warm-up and boat-handling test ahead of the main event in September.
Irish Clubs Set to Shine
This year marks the first time three Irish yacht clubs have been invited to compete in the Rolex NYYC Invitational Cup. Alongside Howth Yacht Club’s third appearance, Royal Irish Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club will also be proudly flying the Irish flag. Notably, RCYC has competed in every edition of the event since its inception in 2009.
