The Philadelphia Cup Regatta returns - Racing on the Delaware River in Center City
by Carol Bareuther 21 Mar 20:31 UTC
May 25, 2024
Philadelphia Cup Regatta © Philadelphia Cup Regatta
After a near-decade hiatus, the Philadelphia Cup Regatta returns on Memorial Day Weekend, May 25, 2024.
This highly anticipated event, hosted by the Liberty Sailing Club (LSC) out of Independence Seaport Museum will feature racing in the Delaware River. Sailors and spectators alike can compete and cheer against the breathtaking backdrop of the Philadelphia skyline at Penn's Landing. Entry is open to the following classes: J27, J22, Lightning, Flying Scot, Mariner, V15, Laser, Sunfish, and all other PHRF Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker Classes. The first start is at 10:30 a.m. with the last race starting no later than 3:30 p.m. An Awards Ceremony follows where each class champion will have their name engraved onto The Philadelphia Cup, on permanent display at the Independence Seaport Museum.
"Join us in celebrating the return of the Philadelphia Cup, the ultimate sailing regatta uniting clubs across the region! The racing events will feature everything from nimble dinghies to majestic keelboats with a diversity of sailors," invites Laura Ness, regatta director and LSC board of directors. "As the day's exhilarating races conclude, the after-party takes center stage at the Maritime Museum of Philadelphia, adding a touch of nautical history to the evening. This iconic venue at Penn's Landing is a long-time partner of past Cups and we're thrilled to continue the tradition again this year."
Blast from the past to present
Liberty Sailing Club was founded in 1989, bringing access and an active schedule of sailing to Philadelphia's Delaware River. The Club became a nonprofit a few years later, and today is one of the most active of the groups that sail in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Cup Regatta was first hosted by Liberty Sailing Club, Corinthian Yacht Club, and Riverton Yacht Club from 2011 to 2016. Past Cups have drawn participation from 100-plus sailors in all clubs on the Delaware River, in addition to clubs as far away as Bucks County. Organizers expect just over 50 entries for the regatta's renaissance that kicks off the summer sailboat racing season.
John-Paul Black, Commodore of Liberty Sailing Club, sailed in the Regatta in 2014 and placed 3rd in the J/27 class. "It was a really fun and memorable event. I remember racing in front of the skyline and Penn's Landing, and getting to meet sailors from across the city and region. The waterfront offers so much more now than it did back then. I think the spectacle of dozens of colorful sailboats in the River on Memorial Day weekend can energize and inspire us to keep building on what's been accomplished."
Enter the Philadelphia Cup Regatta now and save! Dinghy boats and keelboats pay only $55 and $65, respectively on or before April 1. From April 2 to May 24, the entry is $65 for dinghies and $75 for keelboats. Entry for either dinghies or keelboats the morning of the event, May 25, is $125. This event fee includes light breakfast for all competitors, one skipper bag per boat, and launching service for One Design boats (Sunfish, Laser, Flying Scot, and Lightening) at the Independence Seaport Museum. Dockage at Penn's Landing Marina is not included in the entry fee, although organizers are working to secure slips at a discounted rate.
The regatta will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing for 2022-2024 (RRS) including the prescriptions of US Sailing except as modified by the Sailing Instruction
Strong Sponsor Support
The LSC thanks the sponsorship support of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation and Independence Seaport Museum, Peroni, and Industrious.
For more information, visit philadelphiacupregatta.com or contact the regatta director at Check out the Philadelphia Cup Regatta on Facebook page, and Instagram at @philly_cup_regatta
Registration and results