2014 Governor's Cup - Sam Gilmour of RFBYC victorious again

by Nancy Mellon on 21 Jul 2014 2014 Governor's Cup - On the final day of racing, only the top four teams competed, since the other eight teams matches were completed on Friday. The racers from those teams were able to watch the finals in comfort from spectator boats. RFBYC and SDYC each won two races in hotly contested tacking duels, despite the light wind and changing conditions. In the final race, Sam was able to be about seven seconds ahead at the first mark, and prevailed.

The two top skippers have been competing against each other in a variety of events. Both raced in the Gov Cup in 2012 when Nevin placed fourth and Sam fifth. Both have won Gov Cups – Nevin in 2011 and Sam just last year. Last week, they represented their countries at the World University Match Racing Championships in Italy.

Nevin, from Georgetown University, placed first and Sam was second in a field of nineteen from Universities all over the World, each representing their countries. They will be competing against each other again immediately after the Governor’s Cup as they fly to Helsinki, Finland to represent their countries at the first ISAF World Match Racing Championship. Sam Gilmour is listed #19 in the ISAF World Match Racing Rating list. (International Sailing Federation). Each will be 21 years old soon so will have aged out of the Gov Cup.

The racing in the Petit Finals between Chicago Yacht Club and BYC’s Killian started with Christophe winning the first race by almost a minute. In the second race however, he hit the mark as he was entering the starting sequence, so Will was able to keep him away from crossing the line to begin the sequence, ending in Killian being disqualified, so losing the second race. In the third, Christophe handled the starting process perfectly and was able to win that race, so finished in third place, with Will in fourth. These two have competed recently in this year’s Rose Cup where Christophe came in first while Will placed fourth. Each will still be eligible for next year’s Gov Cup. Will is an intern with the Chicago Match Race Center so is gaining great experience. He attends Fordham University in New York City. Christophe has just graduated from Newport Harbor High School and will be attending the College of Charleston next year, where he joins other Gov Cup racers Ryan Davidson, Brandon Folkman of BYC and Jake Reynolds of the SDYC team.

The weather today was quite a contrast to the rest of the week. There was cloud cover throughout the racing with mild winds and light chop instead of the strong winds of the last two days. When it was time for the winning boats to return to the yacht club, escorted by the Harbor Department with horns and spray, the sun broke through. A large crowd gathered to welcome the racers back to the home base. Introductions and the trophy presentations were enjoyed by all. A very special recognition went to the team from Canada of Richard Ninielly, Connor MacKenie and Nicole Johnston when they were voted to be winners of the Chet and Glee Purcell Trophy which is presented each year for outstanding sportsmanship. The Purcells were the founders of the Governor’s Cup in 1967.

Sam was able to beat Nevin Snow of San Diego Yacht Club in the fifth race of their fiercely fought Finals:

1. - Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Aus - Sam Gilmour, Adam Negri, Storm Brown
2. - San Diego Yacht Club - Nevin Snow, AJ Reiter, Jake Reynolds
3. - Balboa Yacht Club - Christophe Killian, Harrison Vandervort, Jack Martin
4. - Chicago Yacht Club - Will Holz, Clay Danly, Alex Woloshyn