Brisk start for Port of LA Harbor Cup

Port of La Harbor Cup © Bronny Daniels /Joy Sailing

Idyllic conditions greeted the fleet of the 16th annual Harbor Cup Regatta, organized each year by the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Yacht Club and California State University Maritime Academy.

Ten teams from across the nation enjoyed brisk competition and steady breeze averaging 12 knots, with the mild sea state building into choppy seas, on the first of three days of racing in this preeminent intercollegiate sailing event.

After running several practice starts, LAYC organizers pulled off a trio of thrilling races. Topping the chart at the end of Day One were the College of Charleston Cougars, followed by Navy Midshipmen and USC Trojans tied just one point astern. All three of these teams have won this regatta in the past, while defending champion Univ. of Hawaii sits in fourth and hosting Cal Maritime, a seven-time winner, in fifth. With such high caliber competition - and as newcomers warm up to the Catalina 37 fleet - the leaderboard is sure to shuffle, with the best sailors from the top universities and institutions facing off throughout the weekend.

The POLA Harbor Cup was founded in 2008 to encourage young women and men to enjoy the benefits of competitive offshore sailing. Organizers recognize the importance of opportunity and equality in sailing, and the eight-person crew must include at least two females. As the populace celebrated International Women's Day today, the participation and contribution of the fleet's skilled young women sailors was acknowledged.

Port of La Harbor Cup - photo © Bronny Daniels /Joy Sailing

"The first day of Harbor Cup is always tough, but it's really fun," said Jack Kisling, skipper of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo team. With the high level of competition, he said, "small mistakes here cost a lot. So we made a few small mistakes that dropped us down a bit, but we're really close to everything (in points) and excited to come back and do better tomorrow."

The Cal Poly Mustangs are returning to Harbor Cup for the fourth time, noting some of the schools have competed in the event since its inception. But they were not put off: citing excellent teamwork and spirit, according to Kisling. "After the last race finished we were having trouble with our spinnaker pole and decided to douse, seeing we were heading in. So our mast person was wrangling with the sheet and the afterguy, to get the kite down, when he got launched off the side of the boat!" Clinging to the guy he briefly dragged through the water - noting the ocean was "cold!" - and came alongside. "Our pit person Ximena just leaned over the side, grabbed his lifejacket and hauled him onboard! That was our excitement for the day, but we thanks to excellent teamwork everyone got back safe."

Since its founding in 2008 the POLA Harbor Cup has hosted 154 varsity sailing squads from 30 different universities and institutions: over 1,320 athletes and coaches. It is one of the most desirable events on the circuit, with professional race management and sailing aboard an equalized fleet of Catalina 37 keelboats, managed by the Long Beach Sailing Foundation. In addition, participating teams are hosted by LAYC members with all meals and accommodations provided.

Racing continues Saturday and Sunday, March 9 and 10, in the battle for the coveted POLA Harbor Cup.

Go to layc.org/LAYC-harbor-cup for further information on the event.

Up-to-the-minute results available here.

POLA Harbor Cup Day 1 Results: