Yacht clubs prepare for Governor’s Cup
Sailors from two local yacht clubs will compete in the July 18 to 22 Governor’s Cup, one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious regattas for junior competitors.
Michael and Jimmy Madigan and Jack Thompson, who regularly sail as members of the Corona del Mar High School team, will compete for the Newport Harbor Yacht Club.
Ryan Davidson, Brandon Folkman and Gregg Kent, who each attend Newport Harbor High School, will represent the Balboa Yacht Club in the race.
The Governor’s Cup is in its 46th year and will take place on afternoons near the Balboa Pier. It is the oldest junior match in the racing championship world, according to a news release from the BYC.
“The round robin format for the event provides spectators with continuous competition as each race features two boats with each team racing against every other team at least once,” the release states. “The talented racers will demonstrate a variety of tactics and skills as they race around buoys. It is especially exciting to watch when they round the mark near the beach, with colorful spinnakers flying.
“On the water, international umpires will provide instant response to protests and infractions. Spectators can watch from the pier and beach as well as on boats near the race course.”
In addition to the BYC and NHYC, the other competitors are the Chicago Yacht Club; the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia; Göteborgs Kungliga Segel Sällskap of Sweden; Mission Bay Yacht Club of San Diego; Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club of Australia; Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron; Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club of New Zealand; Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron of Australia; San Diego Yacht Club; and the San Francisco Yacht Club.
The Swedish team is new to the event. Each of the other teams has competed in the event before. The San Diego Yacht Club team won in 2011; that team’s skipper, Nevin Snow, and crew, is set to return this year. The 2011 third and fourth place teams, both from New Zealand, are also returning with their skippers from last year.
Information will be posted throughout the regatta at https://www.balboayachtclub.com/GovCup as well as on the Governor’s Cup Facebook and Twitter pages.
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