2014 Governor's Cup - Nevin Snow and team on form

by Nancy Mellon on 19 Jul 2014 After the first six flights of the Quarter Final Round Robin at the Governor’s Cup, with the top eight teams, San Diego Yacht Club’s Nevin Snow and his team have won five of their matches, Nevin lost only to Royal Freshwater Bay’s Sam Gilmour. Nevin knows how to win since he was the 2011 Gov Cup winner.

He and his teammate AJ Reiter who attend Georgetown University have just returned from the World University Match Racing Championships in Italy where they won over nineteen teams from all over the world. Also with five wins, last year’s winner Sam Gilmour of Australia’s Freshwater Bay Yacht Club lost only to BYC’s Ryan Davidson’s team. Sam came in second in the races in Italy.

Three teams have three wins and three losses each. They include both BYC teams as well as Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. The results of the final race on Friday will decide which two of those will be in the final four. The remaining four will then begin a series of races to decide their final standings. Chicago Yacht Club and Royal Port Nicholson each have two wins and four losses, while St. Francis Yacht Club has only prevailed over Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

The four teams who are having a sail-off for the Silver Flight have completed four races with Charlie LaLumiere’s Portland/Oakcliffe team winning all four. The young team from Newport Harbor won three while Royal New Zealand had one win. The young team from Vancouver Canada has maintained their enthusiasm despite their losses. They are very enthusiastic about their experiences here and are learning what they need to work on in the future. They hope to be back.

The change in the weather may have made a difference for some of the teams, since the wind has been strong and steady today, coming from the west and maintaining about fifteen knots. The temperature has been in the mid-70’s and we hope will continue to provide excellent sailing.

The Balboa Yacht Club scene is a busy one with the extensive junior program going on each day, the Monday evening dinner celebration of the beginning of the 48th Governor’s Cup Regatta, the Wednesday evening racing of non-keel boats, the Thursday evening Beer Can races, and the Friday night reception that includes the actual America’s Cup, with Gary Jobson, NBC and ESPN commentator. BYC’s Andy Rose, Gov Cup winner in 1969 and 70 and America’s Cup Tactician will enjoy interviewing the Gov Cup racers.

The thirty-six racing participants in the Governor’s Cup are enjoying a variety of activities, including racing on Thursday evening on the larger racers who compete in Newport Harbor in the Beer Cans. The Beer Cans are a long term tradition in our harbor with exciting competition every Thursday evening throughout the summer.

Racing will be held through Saturday in the ocean near the Newport Pier. Umpires on the water followed each match to make instant decisions if there are rules infractions. The weather cooperated today, with the overcast disappearing and steady wind about eight knots coming from the west. Temperatures remained in the mid 70’s.

The Governor’s Cup is principally sponsored by HOM Sotheby’s International Realty, Pretend City, CR&R, Telescope Peak and the Newport Balboa Sailing and Seamanship Association. Team supporters include David and Deborah Lake, Faucet Depot, Island Marine Fuel and Skyline Event website