we used to call him Mad Max.
now it’s only right we call him champ.
the sheet tender for the legendary Luke Lawrence.
our hometown kid.
one of the few who’ve ever won it.
the van nostrand.
The most valuable trophy in sports history… 🏆🤯 The Van Nostrand Ice Challenge Cup of America is deemed “priceless” 🇺🇸 handcrafted by @tiffanyandco in 1886 (commissioned by Hudson River ice boat owner, Gardner Van Nostrand).
The photos simply don’t do this magnificent work of art any justice. “Tiffany silversmiths created the cup using traditional techniques, including chasing and engraving, to produce a highly detailed, luxurious, and durable piece. The cup features intricate, raised reliefs—or “repoussé” work—that depict scenes of iceboats and sailing, sculpted onto the surface of the silver.”
Congrats again to @lukelawrence13 & @maxbwlopez for earning their names engraved into this piece of history forever! 🤍🌬️ Will Max and Luke’s daughters, Windy & Luna be destined to carry on the family traditions AND be the first women to race for this iconic cup? @meglawrence222 only time will tell ⏳
🥇 First in the Van Nostrand- Ice Yacht Challenge Cup of America. As a 4th generation ice sailor, there are many people to thank for what led to this once in a lifetime opportunity. As always, my amazing wife Megan for managing the home front. From my great grandfather, grandfather, dad- Dan, uncle Rick, cousin Kevin, and down through to the Hudson River Ice Yacht Clubs support over nearly eight decades. The amount of work that has gone on behind the scenes to keep these classic ice yachts in race ready shape on both sides, just for this kind of occasion, is truly monumental. Turning barn finds into winning yachts is the root of the Lawrence family legacy. It is an amazing honor to have been the skipper of the Ariel (1887), alongside Max Lopez, in taking the “Americas Cup” of Ice Yachting. The trophy was first presented to the Orange Lake Ice Yacht Club in January of 1889. New Jersey promptly took the Cup in 1891 and never saw it in the trophy case again. Until now. It has been a dream come true to have successfully brought the Cup back to its original home after a 135 YEAR absence. Thank you to the North Shrewsbury Ice Yacht Club for allowing this incredible peace of history and tradition to take place. Their hospitality was amazing and made for an incredible week. Words cannot express the special place this has in my family and I’s hearts, but you can see it in our faces in the videos. This one was for Pop Pop (Bob Lawrence). ❤️💕❤️ A huge thank you to everyone who came out to document this historic event: 📸🎥 @sailing.everyday@tspfeffer@joe_malley@abovethehook@redbankgreen@michaelmckennaphoto@nytimes and many more!
I had the pleasure of witnessing a piece of American history today.
This iceboat race, called the “Van Nostrand Challenge Cup” is the 4th longest running continuous competition in American Sports- only following the Kentucky Derby, the Westminster Dog Show, and the US Open.
Sailing teams from New York and New Jersey compete against each other for the rights to hoist the oldest trophy in American Sports, created by Tiffany Co. in 1886.
Max Lopez and Luke Lawrence manned the winning #10 boat, writing their names into the most prestigious trophy the sport has to offer.
This race has only taken place 4 times since 1891, adding to the importance, intensity, and emotion that this race brings out of all involved. Max and Luke were met with an emotional embrace from friends, family, and competitors as only the 5th ever winners of this storied competition. The rarity of this race is mainly due to the necessity of the correct weather, including sustained cold temperatures along with the right amount of wind, which is hard to come across. A truly once in a lifetime opportunity for Max and Luke, concluding with their names written on the cup and in sailing history.
