Fair Haven Continues Tradition of 2020 Mayor’s Cup Regatta

FEATURED PHOTO CREDIT: Tom Zapcic Photography

The 2020 Mayor’s Cup Regatta was held on July 5 awarding ‘bragging rights on the Navesink’ to the winner of the race in which a Keel Boat Fleet and a one-design Fleet participated. Remedy, Fair Haven Yacht Works, a Merit 25, skippered by Jeremy Herman was the Keel Boat first-place winner. Second place went to Warhorse, Shrewsbury River Yacht Club, a Pearson 28 skippered by Mike Bosi. The one-design first-place winner was Paul Lucyk, Monmouth Boat Club, sailing a Mc Scow, with second place going to Dave Watts, Monmouth Boat Club, sailing a Lightning.

“Good winds from Red Bank started the Bridge race for the run up to Lewis Point from the start off the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club anchorage,” explained Joe Malik, Past Commodore of the New Jersey Yacht Racing Association and the Mayor’s Cup Committee Principal Race Officer. “On the return to the Oceanic Bridge, the wind began to die, which made the return to the finish a hard slog forcing several racers to retire. Despite the failing wind, all one-design boats and the finishers in the cruising fleet came in under the time limit.”

Inaugurated in 2012, the Mayor’s Cup was originally run to represent the 100-year anniversary of the town of Fair Haven. The town’s origins and continuing character are strongly linked to the Navesink River, with a rich history that includes tradesmen working on the Navesink River and a colony of actors that dominated the town’s social life. The Players Boat Club of Fair Haven was established in 1910 and today is the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club. In 2013 and all the years that followed, the Mayor’s Cup was run by the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club with an open invitation to any and all boats. In 2015, the North Jersey Yacht Racing Association endorsed the race with one of its prestigious trophies, the Irwin Bowl, honoring the winner of the men’s championship. The Irwin Bowl dates back to the 1950s and has been drawing sailors from North Jersey Yacht Racing Association participating clubs on the two rivers as well as all around the Sandy Hook and Raritan Bays. The regatta is typically held as part of the Shrewsbury River Yacht Club 4th of July celebration.

“With Fair Haven’s maritime heritage intertwined with the Navesink River, we are so pleased to host the Mayor’s Cup Regatta year after year, a sailing race that promotes great comradery and friendships with clubs near and far,” said Mayor Benjamin Lucarelli.

To view more photos, visit tomzapcicphotography.smugmug.com/Mayors-Cup-2020