Please select your home edition
Edition
A+T Instruments 2024 Leaderboard

California Dreamin’ Series to get underway with the Butler Cup

by Rick Roberts on 5 Oct 2012
Dustin Durant (at helm) has a good shot at winning this year’s Butler Cup and is currently second in points in the 2012 California Dreamin’ Series Rich Roberts http://www.UnderTheSunPhotos.com
The first stop of the 2012-2013 California Dreamin’ Series will get underway this Saturday and Sunday with the Butler Cup, an ISAF grade 3 match race hosted by Long Beach Yacht Club.

San Diego Yacht Club hosts the second stop of the tour, Jan. 12-13, 2013, and the teams are back in Long Beach for the third and final stop at the 2013 Butler Cup, March 16-17. Skippers for the event are Dustin Durant, LBYC; Dave Hood, LBYC; Bill Durant, LBYC; Bruce Stone, St. Francis YC; Carson Reynolds, Balboa YC and David Storrs, Pequot YC.

The teams will compete on the same Catalina 37s sailboats used in the legendary Congressional Cup held each year in the area of Long Beach’s inner harbor known as, 'Congressional Cup Stadium.'

Nestled between Island Chaffee to the east, Island White and Freeman to the west and just a stone’s throw from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier the skippers do battle for a shot at an invitation to compete in the 2013 Grade 2 Ficker Cup, April 5-7, the principal prize for winning the three-stop California Dreamin’ Series.

David Storrs, Southport, Conn., returns to the Butler Cup this year and gets regular encouragement and support from fellow Pequot Yacht Club member and personal friend Dave Perry, who is a world-renowned match racer in his own right as well as US Sailing’s Appeals Committee chairman.

'Dave and I talk,' Storrs said, 'and he mentors me on my match racing.

'When I raced my first Butler Cup three years ago I was ranked 300th. But I’ve had great teachers who have now helped me get up to 72nd. I’m looking forward to racing against the strong match racers we’ll be seeing this weekend.'

The first Butler Cup match race was held in 2009, resurrected by LBYC member and local sailor Charlie Legeman from a fleet race format using the Catalina 37s donated by Catalina Yachts founder Frank Butler to the Long Beach Sailing Foundation.

This year, Legeman is the Principal Race Officer (PRO) and explains the evolution.

'In reviving the Butler Cup,' Legeman said, 'the intent was to stimulate match racing on the West Coast as well as honor Frank Butler. This event gives local weekend racers an opportunity to step up and try their skills at match racing. Initially it was a training series where we actually had coaches on the boats. But now it has evolved into an event that attracts racers from around the country… all shooting for a slot in the Ficker Cup.

'Dustin Durant is a classic example of what I wanted Butler Cup to accomplish. He first sailed in the training regattas and then moved up, getting an invitation to last year’s Ficker Cup. He then won the Ficker Cup and competed in this year’s Congressional Cup making a decent showing of himself. As a result of his successes he has received invitations to compete in match race regattas all across the country.'

Legeman talks about his personal transition from sailor to race committee PRO.

'Becoming a PRO is a natural progression of my sailing career,' Legeman said. 'I competed in the Butler Cup last year and still performed well. But at age 63 I notice more aches and pains than in the past. So, after serving as PRO for other regattas I’ve found I enjoy that immensely and decided to continue on that path. It’s important that a PRO has racing experience to understand and adjust to changing conditions using the eye of the competitor.'

Legeman adds, 'Just to make it clear… I am not giving up fleet or distance racing.'
Long Beach Yacht Club website
Sea Sure 2025Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTER

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
ClubSwan 28 American Series launched
US-based regatta series unites high-performance design with competitive racing. Nautor Swan today announces the launch of the ClubSwan 28 American Series in collaboration with Terry Hutchinson and American Magic, a new high-performance racing circuit designed to ignite competitive sailing in the U.S.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
Exciting racing, unforgettable shoreside festivities on tap Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug