Ralph Isham, Courageous

Ralph Isham is one of six in a Syndicate of owners for the world famous boat Courageous.

In the first-ever ROAD TO THE WORLDS Waypoints Series, it came down to the last day of the last regatta – the 2019 12 Metre World Championship held over July 8-13 in Newport, R.I. – to determine Courageous (US-26) as the overall Series winner. Introduced in 2017 to help build 12 Metre competition in the Northern Europe, Southern Europe and Americas fleets, the WAYPOINTS Series tallied scores posted by 40 12 Metres from nine countries in 28 regattas held in five countries over a period of three years. It awarded points for both participation and performance and the victor’s crown to the team that had accumulated the greatest number of points by the end of the World Championship. As for the secondary focus of the WAYPOINTS Series – to further the recognition of a global collection of heritage 12 Metres and the owners who are working to preserve their histories – it didn’t hurt that Courageous is perhaps the most famous 12 Metre in the universe.Courageous, an Olin Stephens design launched in 1974, was the first all-aluminum hulled 12 Metre and the second 12 Metre to successfully defend the America’s Cup twice: in 1974, skippered by Ted Hood and, perhaps most famously, in 1977 when Ted Turner defeated Alan Bond’s Australia (KA-5) four races to zero in a best-of-seven series.

The Road to the Worlds Waypoint Series is a 3-year International 12 Metre yacht competition from May 2017 through the 2019 12mR World Championship, July 8 – 13 at Newport, RI. Twelves racing at specific “Waypoints” designated events in North Europe, South Europe and the Americas will be awarded points for both their participation and performance. At the culmination of this 28 regatta series, the 12mR yacht with the greatest number of points overall will be named the Waypoints winner.

This competition is open to all 12 Metre yachts with valid Measurement Certificates (including Appendix E Certificates) and current ITMA Membership status at the time of each Waypoints event in which they participate. All 12mR yachts worldwide may compete at any Waypoint event, whether within or outside of their home fleet. For more information see: http://www.12mrclass.com/waypoints/

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