Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Regatta - Day 2

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Regatta © Sharon Green / ultimatesailing.com

Day Two of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup saw the leaderboard shuffle after a delayed start: with light air and poor visibility forcing a lengthy postponement. The eager teams satisfied their competitive drive with on-deck dance-offs and cheers as they waited, but the breeze - typically a stiff westerly - was fickle. It seems the storms that barreled through California during the week had 'spent' all of the air.

Ultimately, Principal Race Officer Tom Trujillo called for the race course to be moved inside the breakwater, in the hopes of running a race in flatter water and a subtly building breeze. An initial race was abandoned due to shifting winds, but as conditions started to solidify the RC re-set the course and pulled off two swift races.

Race #3 of the series, a twice-around course, was won by Univ. of Hawaii, while Maine Maritime won Race #4: a single-lap sprint in the late afternoon. After several hours of protest hearings, Maine Maritime topped the leaderboard with 13 points, followed by Univ. of Hawaii, 15, and Cal Poly, 16.

The POLA Harbor Cup is one of the preeminent intercollegiate sailing events in North America, drawing teams from the top universities and academies for three days of highly-contested big boat offshore racing.

The regatta is known for enthusiastic competition and camaraderie among the ten co-ed crews. Sailors race on the Long Beach Sailing Foundation fleet of Catalina 37s: equally matched and maintained vessels that guarantee a test of each crew's skills and strategies. Teams' meals and accommodations are fully hosted by LAYC members.

Yesterday's opener saw two rousing races beneath grey skies, with periods of light showers punctuated with bursts of rain and gusts. After two windward-leeward races defending champion Cal Maritime led with a 1-4 record, only to be unseated today due to a DSQ in Race #3.

After a full day on the water evening sailors peeled off wet gear and donned crew shirts this evening to enjoy dinner and a talk by renowned mariner Sally Lindsay Honey, two-time US Yachtswoman of the Year, North American and World Championship title holder.

Racing continues tomorrow Sunday March 12 for the prestigious POLA Harbor Cup trophy. Prevailing winds are expected to continue for the final day of racing.

Results after Day 2:

For more information please visit: www.layc.org/harbor-cup or scores.collegesailing.org/s23/port-la-harbor-cup for full results.

Follow us at: FB @LAYCHarborCup TWITTER @layc1901 INSTA #LAYachtClub