Governor's Cup 2011 - San Diego Yacht Club victory

by Nancy Mellon on 25 Jul 2011 Governor's Cup 2011, 45th edition, was held between 19th and 24th July at Balboa Yacht Club.

The victorious team from San Diego Yacht Club included the skipper, Nevin Snow, the youngest racer in the regatta. His team mates were Jake LaDow and Jake Reynolds. The team lost only four races in the Round Robin series. The final four teams included Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club, San Diego Yacht Club and Newport Harbor Yacht Club. After the two out of three semi-finals and finals, the results are as follows:

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

The Semi-Finals for the top four teams began on Saturday. The first place team was able to choose their first opponent from the other three teams. 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 was able to compete against them twice more on Sunday, winning both of those races and moving on to the finals. In the final race against SDYC, Nevin Snow was able to cause Chris Segerblom problems at the start, SDYC pulled ahead and could not be caught. Both Nevin and Chris raced in 2010 and will be eligible to return 2011.

In the other final RNZYS, with David Hazard at the helm, prevailed over Tim Coltman of RPNYC in the battle of the two New Zealand teams. A different team from Royal New Zealand won in 2010, defeating NHYC in the finals.

Only four teams were able to beat the strong SDYC team during the Round Robins. They were the host team of Balboa Yacht Club, led by Ryan Davidson, the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia with Ashleen Rooklyn at the helm, the second place team from NHYC and the fourth place team of Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron.

For the first year since 2007, the finals were between two US teams. In 2007, NHYC and King Harbor Yacht Club competed for the win, with Michael Menninger of NHYC winning. He won again in 2008 as well.

On Sunday, the consolation round started with 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 were completed, followed by the presentation of trophies at Balboa Yacht Club. The prestigious Sportsmanship Award went to the team from Scuttlebutt. Judge Ryan, the helmsman, a member of SDYC, his middleman, Kevin Laube of Mission Bay Yacht Club, and Caitlin Beavers, of NHYC were the fifth place team as well, just missing being part of the final four since Scuttlebutt Sailing Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron tied for fourth but became fifth and sixth after the Round Robins due to tie breakers.

The last race day was another beautiful one, and included the best wind of the week with white caps showing for the first time as the wind held steady at about ten to twelve knots. The spectator fleet was very large with representatives from San Diego and King Harbor as well as the local yacht clubs. The spectators were able to keep track of the racing with understanding as long time Governor's Cup supporter Andy Rose narrated the racing. Andy won the Governor's Cup in 1968, 1969 and 1970, and has competed in many international events since then including the America’s Cup and the Congressional Cup.

Governors 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 Governors Cup website, where you can find out more about each of this year’s supporting sponsors, and given an opportunity, support them!