Aussie and Kiwi teams shine on first day Gov Cup

by Nancy Mellon on 20 Jul 2006 Balboa Yacht Club of Corona del Mar, California has chosen five teams from down under for their twelve team competition. Held in the ocean off Newport Beach, the 40th Challenge of the Governor's Cup began on a day with good winds and favorable conditions. The twelve teams each consist of three experienced racers, all under age twenty.

Racing in Alan Andrews designed identical Gov Cup 21's, the teams are expected to complete two round robins of match racing. Racing began on Tuesday, July 18 and will be completed by July 22. The boats, purchased by members of Balboa Yacht Club are four years old, but have been raced equally. They held up well in winds from 6 to 10 knots.

The two teams from New Zealand include Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Sandspit Yacht Club, sponsored by New Zealand Team Racing.

The Sandspit team of Adrian Short, helm, Bradley Farrand, middle and Rachael Basevi, bow, won three of their five matches. From RNZYS are Philip Robertson, helm, Garth Ellingham, Middle and Michael Thorpe, bow who crossed the line first twice, losing three matches out of the five.

The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club team from Sydney's Pittwater, won all five of their matches the first day. Starting fast, making good decisions and great team work were part of the reasons for their success. Helmsman Thomas Spithill has been a part of the winning team the last two years, and hopes to make it three in a row. His crew consists of Nina Curtis, middle and Andrew Hudson, bow. The Royal Perth Yacht Club team of Robert Gibbs, Kinley Fowler and Jonathan Clough had a successful day, winning four of their five matches, losing only to King Harbor Yacht Club of Redondo Beach, CA. Only the host team, Balboa Yacht Club, could match their success of four wins and one loss, losing only to RPAYC, the defending champions. The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia team of Evan Walker, Ted Hackney and Kyle Langford finished the first five matches with one win and four losses.

Results are available daily on the web site: www.balboayachtclub.com


The 40th Governor's Cup is presented by Boatswain's Locker and co-sponsored by Bank of the West, Barnacle Bill's Inc. Underwater Yacht Maintenance, Daily Pilot, Gerard Signs and Graphics, Island Marine Fuel, Quiksilver, Ullman Sails, West Marine and XS Energy Drink.