European Sea Scouts challenge US Sea Scouts at the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup
Sea Scout Teams from Finland, Ireland, Poland, Portugal and the United Kingdom travelled to Long Beach, California (USA), where the are challenging teams from Brazil, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago as well as more than twenty Sea Scouts of America Teams from twelve US States in the biennial William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup.
Bill Koch, winner of the America's Cup in 1992, had created this international regatta to provide an opportunity to Sea Scouts from around the world to demonstrate the skills acquired in Sea Scouting. The impressive Koch Cup trophy was designed after the famous America's Cup and is said to be worth over USD 100 000.
The week-long sailing competition takes place off Long Beach, California, with two Sea Scouts aged between 14 and 21 years sailing a series of races in identical Flying Junior (FJ) class boats. Mr. Koch will present the Koch Cup to the winning Sea Scout Team during a gala dinner hosted at Long Beach Yacht Club this weekend. Another highlight during the week will be a special fleet race sailed by international teams of eight Sea Scouts in larger Catalina 37s, with the winning crew being awarded the inaugural Commissioner's Cup trophy.
You can follow the William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup on a special Facebook page.
(image: Koch Cup 2014)