Governor’s Cup: Members’ reception features America’s Cup

The racers in the Governor’s Cup haven’t been all about the competition this week in Newport Beach.

As host Balboa Yacht Club has planned various events and activities for the 12 teams, as well as the BYC members and fans of the international junior match racing event.

An America’s Cup viewing and a press conference was the main event Friday evening during the members’ reception at BYC.

Andy Rose, a BYC member and former two-time Gov Cup champion, as well as NBC commentator Gary Jobson directed an entertaining and informative press conference. The interviewees included the Gov Cup finalists Sam Gilmour (Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club of Australia) and Nevin Snow (San Diego Yacht Club).

Gilmour, the defending Gov Cup champion, will race against 2011 Gov Cup champ Snow in the finals, scheduled to start at noon Saturday in the ocean near Newport Pier.

Rose and Jobson also interviewed the petit finalists BYC’s Christophe Killian and Will Holz of Chicago Yacht Club.

Golden Gate Yacht Club commodore Norbert Bajurin also sat with Rose and Jobson for a short interview, touching on topics such as the renewed popularity of the America’s Cup and Bajurin’s book, “The Billionaire and the Mechanic.”

Jobson also announced that he is working on a Governor’s Cup documentary with Rose and others, to be released for the regatta’s 50th anniversary in two years.

Several people posed for photos in front of the Governor’s Cup and America’s Cup.

“The Governor’s Cup is the America’s Cup of youth sailing,” Bajurin said.