Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup returns to LAYC, March 11-13, 2022
by Betsy Crowfoot 22 Feb 2022 10:42 PST
March 11-13, 2022
The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup-Cal Maritime Invitational Intercollegiate Regatta - one of the preeminent intercollegiate sailing invitationals in the nation - returns March 11 to 13, 2022 with a top-notch lineup of competitors from coast to coast.
Defending champion California State University Maritime Academy will face staunch rivals College of Charleston (2019 winner) and US Naval Academy (2018 victor) as well as longstanding opponents from the US Coast Guard Academy, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, University of California Santa Barbara, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and University of Hawaii. In addition, two teams will be making their first appearances at the POLA Harbor Cup: University of Maryland and University of Rhode Island. The mix of fresh and familiar sailing talent promises thrilling and intense competition in the three-day, 10-race regatta hosted by Los Angeles Yacht Club.
Since 2008 Cal Maritime, the Port of Los Angeles, and LAYC have hosted this invitational one-design regatta, created to encourage young men and women to enjoy the benefits of competitive sailing and promote Corinthian values. The 10 teams from around the nation will be put to test on the challenging waters of the Pacific, racing aboard a fleet of Catalina 37s - one-design keelboats utilized in the prestigious Congressional Cup regatta. Competing on identical vessels, each with just one mainsail, genoa and spinnaker, forces the focus on teamwork and strategy. Unlike most college level regattas which are typically sailed in small one or two-person dinghies in protected waters, this event provides a rare opportunity for big boat offshore racing, with large competitive co-ed teams.
Since the inception of the Harbor Cup 135 Intercollegiate varsity sailing teams from 27 different universities have competed, bringing more than 1,000 varsity athletes and coaches to Los Angeles for this high-level offshore keelboat event. Teams are fully hosted by LAYC, which provides all lodging, meals and special events, including a Saturday night crew and alumni dinner with guest speaker John Sangmeister: America's Cup alumnus, offshore race veteran and lifelong competitor.
The POLA Harbor Cup kicks off Friday March 11 with a skippers meeting and practice before the first of 10 windward-leeward races commences on the Pacific Ocean course outside Angels' Gate. Racing will continue Saturday and Sunday March 12 and 13, beginning at 11:30 each day. Point Fermin Park on Paseo Del Mar in San Pedro provides an excellent viewing location.
Los Angeles Yacht Club was founded in 1901 and is one of oldest and most respected institutions on the West Coast, hosting events such as the Harbor Cup, the George Griffith Series and Transpacific Yacht Race.
The Port of Los Angeles is the nation's number-one container port and a global model for sustainability, security, and social responsibility.
For additional information about the POLA Harbor Cup please visit www.layc.org