48th Gov Cup begins in California

by Nancy Mellon on 16 Jul 2014 Unbeaten on the first day of racing, Christophe Killian, Harrison Vandervort and Jack Martin, in their first Gov Cup racing, were able to prevail over the San Diego Yacht Club team led by Nevin Snow who won in 2011. The exciting match racing began on Tuesday at noon with winds from ten to fifteen knots and a temperature of 71 degrees with overcast. As the day went on the winds lessen a bit but with the excellent conditions, six rounds of racing were completed.

After five rounds, two teams remained unbeaten. One is led by Christophe Killian of BYC, racing in the event for the first time. However, he and his team mates have been practicing for years in the Gov Cup 21 boats as they have raced against BYC’s other team in practice. They were also victorious at the recent Rose Cup in Oyster Bay, NY.

The other team with five wins was the San Diego Yacht Club team led by former 2011 Gov Cup winner, Nevin Snow.

Nevin, a student at Georgetown University in Washington, DC has just returned from the World University Match Racing Championships in Italy where he won, beating nineteen teams from all over the world. Placing second at that event was Sam Gilmour, last year’s Gov Cup champion from Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club in Australia. In the sixth round, Christophe was able to prevail over Nevin Snow so now remains unbeaten on the first day.

The twelve teams include many who have raced in the event in previous years. New to the Gov Cup is the team from Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. It is the first Canadian team to compete in the Gov Cup. Led by Richard Minielly, with Connor MacKenzie, the team includes the only female, Nichole Johnston. They have raced against each other in many events in Canada and the US, but have joined forces for this experience.

The Race Committee set up the course between the Newport and Balboa Piers in the ocean. The round robin format for the event provides spectators with continuous action as each race features two boats with each team racing against every other team at least once. On the water International Umpires following each match keet everything moving well with instant response to protests and infractions. Spectators watched from Ruby’s Diner, the pier and beach as well as on boats near the racecourse.

After the first round robin of eleven flights is completed, the top eight teams will continue to race against every other team in that group. After the round robin raced by those eight teams, the top four will go to the Semi-Finals.

Meanwhile, the bottom four will sail in a triple round robin for the Silver Flight. Racing will continue through Saturday, with trophy presentations in the late afternoon.

The results after six flights of the round robin.

Organization - Wins
Balboa Yacht Club RD - 3
BalboaYacht Club CK - 6
Chicago Yacht Club - 4
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - 1
Newport Harbor Yacht Club - 1
Portland/Oakcliffe - 2
Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club - 4
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - 3
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club - 4
RoyalVancouver Yacht Club - 0
San Diego Yacht Club - 5
St. Francis Yacht Club - 3

Up-to-date information is available at Balboa YC on Gov Cup pages on facebook and twitter or contact nansailor@aol.com.