Governor's Cup - Surprising Winners In Not So Surprising Weather

CORONA DEL MAR, CA, AUGUST 14, 2003. For the first day of the 37th Challenge for the Governor’s Cup, Newport Beach delivered some typical summer afternoon weather…….shifting winds, barely reaching 6 knots. With races started in the ocean just east of the Newport Pier, the first flight saw winds from the south in the 4 to 5 knot range. By the time the second flight was ready to start the wind have shifted to the right significantly, but was still in the 4 to 5 knot range. The third flight saw the best wind of the day with the wind established in the west, a full 100 degrees to the right from the start of the first race.

Given the challenging conditions, fortunately the committee was able to complete three flights of the round robin series. A fourth flight was started in deteriorating conditions and only two of the matches were completed with the last three matches abandoned when the wind dropped and the competitors were drifting backwards in the unusually strong 1.5 knot current.

Two teams have emerged undefeated with 3 victories apiece after this first challenging day. Newport Harbor Yacht Club, helmed by Philip Stemler with Trey Wattson and Whitney Loufek as crew and the United States Merchant Marine Academy, with Peeter Must helming and Ryan Mulvania and Todd Kutkiewicz doing the rest.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club has surprised everyone, for even with their strong local knowledge, at the “Welcome Dinner”, they admitted this was their “first match racing experience”.

Not so surprisingly, for the United States Merchant Marine Academy, one of their strongest assets must be former BYC junior sailor and Governor’s Cup competitor Ryan Mulvania. All agree his local knowledge and ability in “light air”, coupled with his skilled crew have helped lead them to this early lead.

Close behind these two teams, all with two wins apiece, are Annapolis Yacht Club, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club, and San Francisco Yacht Club.

According to Chief Judge, Don Becker, “Today was not so much a question of tactics, but rather a question of who could sail the new “Governor’s Cup 21’s” the fastest in these very light conditions.” Principal Race Officer Mike Wathen added, “Tomorrow we hope for better conditions, so that these outstanding junior sailors, sailing this exciting new boat, can truly demonstrate their match racing skills”.

For complete race results, please visit www.balboayachtclub.com

The Governor’s Cup is co-sponsored by Boatswain’s Locker/Yanmar and The Daily Pilot. Additional support has been provided by Quiksilver and West Marine.

For further information contact:

Wayne D. Rodgers
Publicity Director
(949) 675-1355
wdrodgers@mindspring.com