47th Governor’s Cup - Racers arrive at Newport Beach

by Nancy Mellon on 16 Jul 2013 At the 49th Governor's Cup regatta teams will be arriving in Newport Beach by Tuesday to compete from a variety of locations and experiences. The longest trips are for most of the three Australian and three New Zealand teams.

However, the all women crew from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron spent last week racing in Oakcliff, New York at the NY Women’s Invitational, a part of the Inaugural 2013 Women’s International Match Racing Series. They are now tied for seventh in the WIMR ratings.

The International teams were chosen by the selection committee in late May, as well as the talented team from San Diego Yacht Club. Other US teams raced recently in Wisconsin, participating in the 2013 Rose Cup, a qualifying event for the Gov Cup. However the remaining teams were chosen as a result of the fourth Rose Cup sponsored by USSailing at the USSailing Center there. San Francisco Yacht Club sent a team led by Scott Buckstaff to the Rose Cup. Scott was able to prevail over the other seven teams in that event.

The team from the Chicago Yacht Club that placed second was led by Will Holz, who will be returning to compete again in the Gov Cup. Third place at the Rose Cup went to Ryan Davidson, representing BYC. Additional teams that qualified by racing at the Rose Cup are from Newport Harbor Yacht Club and Portland Yacht Club.

The BYC team of Ryan Davidson, Brandon Folkman and Gregg Kent raced in the 2012 Gov Cup, placing sixth. Sam Gilmour of Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, Australia, also raced in 2012, placing fifth as did Holz who placed 11th of the twelve teams. Participating Gov Cup Skippers who are rated in the ISAF World Sailing Rankings include Chris Steele at36, Sam Gilmour at 72, Ryan Davidson at 148, Claudia Pierce at 189 and Will Holz at 227.

The final list of teams participating this year include:

The 2013 Governor’s Cup is proud to announce the addition of several new sponsors as well as the continued support of Sterling BMW as our Title sponsor. CR&R a leading Southern California Waste Management company returns as well and is joined by HOM Sotheby's International Realty and Vanetik International providing significant financial support.

We are pleased to have David and Deborah Lake and Faucet Depot returning as valued TEAM sponsors and this year they are joined by a host of new companies including Skyline Resources, Pretend City Children’s Museum, The Smith Group, Island Marine Fuel, Barney and Barney and The Hartford insurance agencies.Support also comes from the generous people at Armite, DMI, California Sunset Escrow, Law offices of Lemkin, Barnes & Row, Preferred Dental Care and Trenton Rhodes.

Levendi Winery, Ullman Sails, the OC Register, Vineyard Vines and The Hill Family Corporation are providing what they do best, wonderful products and services to help the Governor’s Cup maintain its fleet of boats, wonderful wine for the event, shirts for the participants and accessories for the competitors and unparalleled advertising.

The Governor’s Cup Committee and the Balboa Yacht Club wish to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to one of the major sailing events of the year that shapes young people into premier sailors of the future. Without your generosity none of this would be possible.

Up to date information will be available before, during and after the racing online.