Governor’s Cup down to the final four

by Nancy Mellon on 24 Jul 2011 On a beautiful sunny day, with consistent winds up to eight or ten knots, the Governor’s Cup racing went smoothly, making it possible to complete the second Round Robin.

There was a tie for fourth place so tie breakers had to be applied. There were three teams that had fourteen wins, but the RNZYS had beaten the other two teams during the competition: Scuttlebutt Sailing Club and St. Thomas Yacht Club.

CLUB
Balboa Yacht Club - 10 th
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia - 8 th
King Harbor Yacht Club - 12 th
Newport Harbor Yacht Club - 2 th
Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club - 9 th
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron - 4 th
Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club - 3 rd
Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron - 7 th
Royal Yachting Association - 11 th
San Diego Yacht Club - 1 th
Scuttlebutt Sailing Club - 6 th
St. Thomas Yacht Club - 5 th

One race ended in a tie, with both boats crossing the line at the exact same time. It was one of the most important races of the day since each team was in contention for the final four. Newport Harbor Yacht Club was approaching the finish line ahead of Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club. However, NHYC had incurred a penalty and had to complete a 360 degree turn before crossing the finish line. RPNYC with Tim Coltman at the helm was able to make up the difference and crossed the line just as NHYC finished its turn. The Principal Race Officer, Don Becker, called it a tie so each team was given ½ point. Don, a US and International Judge, has umpired races all over the world. It was a very rare event in the match racing world.

Andy Rose, the narrator for the event, said that he had never seen that happen before. Andy has served as Tactician on a winning America’s Cup boat with Dennis Connor at the helm, as well as many races all over the world.

The Semi-Finals were organized for the top four teams, and the first race was held. The first place team was able to choose their first opponent from the other three teams. Only one race of the Semis was held as the wind faded. San Diego Yacht Club chose to race against Royal Port Nicholson, so the second place team from Newport Harbor Yacht Club competed against Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. NHYC was over at the start, so had to return to cross the line again, falling behind enough that RNZYS was victor. However, since it was the first of the best two out of three races, NHYC will have the opportunity to compete against them twice more on Sunday. In 2010, NHYC had won almost all of the races during the regatta until the last day when a different team from Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron won the Finals.

Adding to the excitement of the day was the start of South Shore Yacht Club’s 'Crew of Two' Race around Catalina, since the large and fast racing boats headed for the Gov Cup race course. They managed to avoid the twenty plus spectator boats as well as the many support boats and the twelve Gov Cup 21’s that were racing. Those of us watching had some very close and exciting views of the spectacular yachts.

On Sunday, the consolation round will pit the fifth place team against the sixth, the seventh against the eighth and so on, to determine the final standings in the Regatta. Then the Semi-Finals and Finals will be completed, followed by the presentation of trophies at Balboa Yacht Club.

Information about the Gov Cup is available at www.balboayachtclub.com/govcup, including links to facebook and twitter. Continuous information will be posted on twitter during the racing. Racing can be seen from the beach near the Balboa Pier from noon to five through Sunday, July 25.

Results can be found here

Governor’s Cup website

Behind every great sporting event like Governor’s Cup, are great sponsors. Without their generous support, the event would not be possible. The 2011 Governor’s Cup and International Junior Match Race Championships is pleased to announce their new partnership with Sterling BMW of Newport Beach, CA as a major event sponsor. Sterling BMW will be featured on the bow of the event’s purpose-built 'Governor’s Cup 21' boats throughout the races. One of the custom designed keelboats will even be on display at the Sterling BMW dealership in Newport Beach during the week of the event.

Special this year will be the greening of the event with the support of CR&R, OC's waste management and environmental 'green' services company, which is also a major 'Fleet Sponsor' of the Gov Cup. All recyclables from the competitors, spectators, umpires and race committee boats will be placed each afternoon in a designated container located in a convenient and prominent place with signage noting CR&R and the Club's commitment to recycling. CR&R will then process the recyclables at its Stanton facility for sale and ultimate reuse.

This year there are many returning sponsors such as Newport Balboa Sailing and Seamanship Association (NBSSA), owner and manager of the Governor’s Cup 21 sailboat racing fleet, CR&R, Volcom, internationally renown clothing company, Blue Water Grill, one of OC’s and LA’s premier restaurants, Island Marine Fuel, our Newport Bay full fuel services and mini-market, Crevier BMW, OC’s distinct, award winning dealership, Leading Edge, offering a full range of underwater, topside, and marine mechanical services, Union Bank, friendly and helpful in personal, small business, commercial & institutional and private banking, Gaylord Sportswear, offer the highest quality embroidery, screenprinting, sublimation and heat transfers on a wide range of apparel, bags, hats ... and more. LBS, restaurant, hotel and country club supplier, and West Marine, boating hardware and supply outfitter.

Welcome aboard to this year’s new sponsors, including Sterling BMW of Newport Beach, a new lead sponsor, Sampson Rope, leader in the marine rope and cordage industry, Simple Green, environmental friendly home and commercial/industrial cleaning products, Lexus of Westminster, OC’s world-class luxury auto dealership, Seatek Yachting, Inc., specializing in standing and running rigging as well as mast refurbishment and painting, the Maritime Science & Seamanship Fountation, engaged in activities supporting scientific and educational purposes, including the development of yachting and seamanship, and Evans Manufacturing, providing a wide variety of personalized promotional specialty items.

Visit our Governor’s Cup website at http://www.balboayachtclub.com/govcup, where you can find out more about each of this year’s supporting sponsors, and given an opportunity, support them!