2015 Campbell Cup - Roy Disney posts three-peat victory

by Rick Roberts on 26 Oct 2015 For the third year in a row, Roy P. Disney and his Andrews 68, Pyewacket, team won the Campbell Cup regatta Sunday in the West Coast 70 Class, with Mick Shlens winning in the Farr 40 class and John Snook winning in the J/120 class in this two-day regatta hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club and sponsored by North Sails.

The weather cooperated most of the time for the 11 boats in three classes. Warm days and light to moderate breezes of five - knots were the order of the day on Saturday, but Sunday’s breeze just didn’t fill in. Because of that, the race committee was only able to get one race off on Sunday, one less than the scheduled five races for the regatta, but everyone seemed pleased with their efforts for the weekend.

“It was a really well run regatta,” Disney said. “John Busch [Principle Race Officer] did a good job.

“The weather was fantastic. The Campbell Cup is one race that is absolutely on our schedule. It’s great racing. There was one race where boat’s finished 10-12 seconds apart.”

Second place in the West Coast 70 class was Ed McDowell’s Santa Cruz 70, Grand Illusion, just three points behind first place.

“GI is really special in light air,” Disney said, “and for a boat that’s slower than ours, they sail fast.”

Shlens’ Farr 40, Blade II, dominated their class with three first-place finishes and a second in the last race on Sunday.

“Our team did really well,” Shlens said, “and all of the boats did well. The race committee did a good job on keeping square courses.”

He credits his team with their victory; Eric Champaign, Phillip Guhl, Chris Hugh, Don Schultz, Marlene Schlens (Mick’s wife), Jennifer Arlington, Ted Winer, Daniel Gussman and Jennifer Hylander.

“I also want to thank Mike George,” Shlens said, “who does all of the prep work on the boat and really does a terrific job.”

Chris Vilicich’s Cal Maritime team finished in second place, and Shlens was very impressed with their performance.

“Everyone in the Farr 40 class,” Shlens said, “can look forward to the Cal Maritime team being one of the top boats on the west coast.”

In the J/120 class Snook’s boat, Jim, mirrored what Shlens did in the Farr 40 class in winning his first three races and taking a second in the fourth race.

“I thought LBYC did a really great job,” Snook said. “It is very generous of Mrs. Campbell to support this regatta.”

In talking about second place finisher Mike Hatch’s, J Almighty, team supporting the class, Snook said, “I was glad they were able to race. They only had two of their regular crew.”

The regatta, named after legendary sailor and big-boat supporter/owner, Mike Campbell, was organized by him in 2006 as the 70s Invitational. Campbell wanted to sponsor a regatta with the purpose of bringing together big boats for a fall event.

When he passed away in October of 2008 it was decided that in 2009 the regatta would be renamed as an appropriate tribute for the regatta Campbell started.

Victoria Campbell, wife of Mike Campbell, was on hand at LBYC Sunday to present trophies to the top finishers in each class.

“I am excited to see so many people here,” Campbell said. “Mike would be honored to see this now.”

Long Beach Yacht Club thanks Victoria for her continued support of the regatta her husband inspired.