Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

58th Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship Day 1

by Susan Kenney 30 Jul 21:48 PDT 29 July - 3 August 2025
Skipper Cole Tapper with crew Jack Frewin and Hamish Vass on day 1 of the 58th Governors Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship © Tom Walker

There are always favorites before the start of major sailing events, but there are usually a few surprises as well. However, after the first day of the 58th Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, there were no real surprises.

Two of the three semi-finalists who returned from 2024 emerged 6-0 for the day: defending champion, Cole Tapper (AUS) and Justin Callahan (USA). Close behind are fellow 2024 semi-finalist Josh Hyde (NZL) and hometown talent Morgan Pinckney (USA), representing Newport Harbor Yacht Club, each ending the day with an impressive 5 wins.

The 2025 GovCup is hosted by Balboa Yacht Club (Newport Beach, CA) and is presented by Terry Causey and his foundation," Call of the Sea", and co-presented by BYC's Croul Family.

One of the most notable performances came from 16-year-old Siena Nichols (USA) of Balboa Yacht Club—the youngest skipper in the regatta—who posted a remarkable 4-2 record. Her skill and composure on the water are notable at any age, drawing comparisons to cross-harbor rival and friend Morgan Pinckney, who placed third in his GovCup debut at age 16.

There are twelve teams from six countries competing in the 58th year of the Governor's Cup. With two more days in the double round-robin phase of the championship, a lot of movement on the leaderboard, up and down, can still happen. The less experienced teams gain more experience with the local conditions and the BYC provided GovCup 22 yachts.

Conditions today ranged from 5 to 8 knots, but the GovCup 22s were specifically designed to perform well in the lighter wind typical of summertime in Newport Beach — as the boats did again today. The 22s were designed by esteemed naval architect, and BYC Staff (former) Commodore, Alan Andrews (USA).

The double round-robin phase continues through Saturday, after which the top four teams will advance to head-to-head semi-finals. Racing for positions five thru twelve will also continue through Saturday. The Semis will wrap on Sunday, followed by the Finals for the top two teams, with the other two teams racing in the Petit Final to determine 3rd and 4th.

Find out more at www.govcupracing.com

Related Articles

Three semi-finalists return for Governor's Cup
Final invitees to be chosen from requests for invitation received by April 11 Governor's Cup will be July 29 - August 3; World's match race skippers under 23 invited to file a Request for Invitation. Posted on 26 Mar
Requests for Invitation for 58th Governor's Cup
The oldest youth match racing championship in the world The 58th Governor's Cup will be held between July 29 and August 3. The world's under 23 match race skippers are invited to file a Request for Invitation. Posted on 29 Jan
57th Governor's Cup overall
Cole Tapper goes 3-2 in the finals over Jeffrey Petersen Cole Tapper (AUS), Jack Frewin and Hamish Vass representing the CYCA came back from a 2-0 deficit against defending two-time GovCup winner Jeffrey Petersen (USA) and crew Daniel Pegg and Enzo Menditto of Balboa Yacht Club to win the best-of-five finals. Posted on 28 Jul 2024
57th Governor's Cup Day 4
Tapper and Petersen 2-0 up in their respective semi-finals Tapper up 2-0 in his the best-of-five semi-final over Callahan; Petersen leads Hyde 2-0. Posted on 27 Jul 2024
57th Governor's Cup Day 3
Petersen (USA) and Tapper (AUS) set for the semis The 2021 and 2023 Governor's Cup winner, Jeffrey Petersen (USA), again went undefeated in today's round robin racing to stay on top of the leaderboard with a near-perfect score-line of 18 wins and one loss. Posted on 26 Jul 2024
57th Governor's Cup Day 2
Callahan (USA): The comeback kid After going 1-5 on Day 1 (Tuesday), Justin Callahan (USA) went 6-1 on Wednesday for an overall score of 7-6 moving him into semi-final contention. Posted on 25 Jul 2024
57th Governor's Cup Day 1
Last year's finalists, Petersen (USA) and Tapper (Aus), shine With all four semi-finalists from last year back in town, it should come as no surprise that two of them — last year's winner Jeffery Petersen (USA), and runner-up Cole Tapper (AUS) — are currently tied for the lead on six wins (and no losses) each. Posted on 24 Jul 2024
57th Governor's Cup Youth Champs 2024 invitees
Five countries return, fleet increased from twelve to fourteen Fourteen skippers from five countries have been invited to the 57th Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship hosted by the Balboa Yacht Club, Newport Beach, California. Posted on 29 Apr 2024
57th Governor's Cup invitations update
Jeffrey Petersen (USA), Cole Tapper (AUS) and Liam O'Keefe (USA) commit to the event Governor's Cup will be July 22-27; World's match race skippers under 23 invited to file a Request for Invitation. Posted on 28 Mar 2024
57th Governor's Cup invitations update
Balboa Yacht Club begins acceptance of requests Balboa Yacht Club has posted all the information necessary for requesting an invitation ("RFI") for the 57th Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, July 22-27, 2024, on the event website. Posted on 26 Jan 2024
Mackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMZhik 2024 DecemberC-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOM