The NY-BCN Transoceanic Sailing Record marks the first speed record between an American and a Mediterranean port. This record will be ratified by the World Sailing Speed Record Council (WSSRC), an international organization established by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF), the governing body for the sport of sailing.

Joan Mir, President of the Real Club Nautico Barcelona, stated: "We are pleased to work with our partners - the New York Yacht Club, along with the FNOB and New York City Sports Commission - to support and foster international sailing challenges of the highest caliber. The New York Yacht Club has an extensive history in the field of competitive sailing, and our club has over 130 years of experience organizing world-class sailing events. I believe there is a total synergy between us which heralds an exceptional event".

David K. Elwell Jr., commodore of the New York Yacht Club, commented: "We invited Real Club Nautico Barcelona to take part in the 2009 NYYC Invitational Cup for exceptional Corinthian sailing with international competitors. We are delighted it led to this collaboration. The NY-BCN Record will showcase New York City and Barcelona as global sailing venues". Robert C. Towse Jr., vice commodore of the New York Yacht Club and responsible for directing the Club's on-the-water activities stated, "Our Race Committee looks forward to starting this race in New York Harbor. U.S. and Spanish sailors will together race identical ocean racing yachts".

The city of New York will serve as the backdrop for the start of the challenge between the yachts, Estrella Damm and W Hotels, two IMOCA Open 60s that will make this ocean-racing feat a thrilling battle of equals. With two Spanish sailors and one American sailor on each boat, the crews will depart the second week of April 2010, hoping to reach Barcelona between the 20th and 30th of April. The competition will last between 18 and 22 days, covering approximately 3,900 nautical miles (7,233 km).

About the Real Club Nautico de Barcelona

Founded 130 years ago, Real Club Nautico Barcelona (RCNB) is a point of reference in Mediterranean and worldwide navigation. Throughout its history, the institution has organized numerous national and international races and competitions like the Puig-Vela Classica Barcelona. Elite RCNB sailors as Bubi Sanso and Pachi Rivero, participants at the first edition of the Barcelona World Race, compete under the banner of RCNB; Alejandro Pella and brothers Willy and Bruno Garcia, solo sailors competing in the Mini Transat; and Alejandro Perez Calzada, first Spanish sailor who has traveled the world chaining mythical races and getting brilliant results. RCNB recently hosted the Istanbul European Race, the IRC Med Challenge(TM) and the Mediterranean Commodores' Cup. Also will host the 470 Class World Sailing Championships in May 2012 and will participate in the Transquadra in 2011.

About the New York Yacht Club

The New York Yacht Club (NYYC) was founded in 1844 by John Cox Stevens and eight other New York yachtsmen aboard Stevens's yacht, anchored in New York Harbor. In 1851, NYYC sent the yacht America to England to challenge "any British vessel whatsoever" and its victory over a fleet at Cowes earned it the trophy that would become the "America's Cup", one of the most prestigious regatta in the sport of sailing. The New York Yacht Club also has a long tradition in ocean racing. The first transatlantic race, held in the winter of 1866 from Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to the Lizard in England, was won by James Gordon Bennett Jr. - soon to be the club's commodore. In 1905, NYYC yacht Atlantic won a transatlantic race from New York to the Lizard. Atlantic's winning time stood for 100 years as the Transatlantic Race Record for monohull yachts. In all, the NYYC has hosted, co-hosted or started 11 of about 25 transatlantic races that have been held since 1866.