Governor's Cup Day 3: Hyde regains the lead; Hayhoe and Scott are tied 2nd two points behind
by Emily O'Connell 30 Jul 22:48 PDT
July 27 - August 1, 2026
Daniel Kemp (AUS) - Day 3 - Governor's Cup - Balboa Yacht Club - July 30, 2026 © Tom Walker
Yesterday, James Hayhoe (AUS) commented that in this year's 59th Governor's Cup every match is tough — often a bit of a cliché. However, on Day 3 of this five-day championship virtually all the matches were hotly contested.
Tonight, Josh Hyde (NZL) has again established a two-point lead with only two races to go in the round robin stage. Hyde lost only one match today — going 4-1 on the day.
Last night, Hayhoe was tied with Hyde. However, Hayhoe lost his first race today against Peter Herlihy (USA), winner of the 2026 US Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup. And after another loss, he has fallen two points behind Hyde.
Herlihy is perhaps the story of the day. He went 4-1, defeating both Hayhoe and Hyde in back-to-back to matches.
Hyde, on 15 wins, has secured a Semi-final berth; Hayhoe and Sam Scott (NZL), on 13 wins, are likely Semi-finalists but not mathematically guaranteed.
The three teams tied on 12 wins are still in contention: Youth Match Racing Worlds runner-up Daniel Kemp (AUS), Siena Nichols (USA), and Christian Prendergast (USA).
Again today the conditions were perfect with clear skies, warm temperatures and 6-7 knots building to 10 by the end of racing. Tomorrow's forecast is for more of the same.
Friday, Day 4 of racing, will see the end of the Round Robin. Two flights remain. Then the superb BYC Race Committee led by PRO Dr. Don Becker will get the first-to-win three Semis under way. The consolation matches will also take place tomorrow to determine places 5-12.
On Day 5, Saturday, the Semi-finals will wrap up, followed immediately by the Finals. The other two Semi-finalists will sail in the Petit Final (first to win 2) to determine 3rd and 4th overall.
The Governor's Cup, presented by Terry Causey and the Call of the Sea Foundation, is the oldest and most prestigious youth match racing championship in the world. It includes among its "alumni," many of the finest sailors in the world today led by two-time America's Cup winner James Spithill (AUS). This year, all three finalists for the prestigious U.S. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year — Justin Callahan, Taylor Canfield and Paul Cayard — have sailed in the GovCup. And, most recently, Cole Tapper (AUS), who won his second GovCup last year, went on to win the most prestigious of the World Match Racing Tour events, the Congressional Cup, mainly sailed by professionals, with no age limits, in May.
The GovCup TV team will provide ten live shows during the week-long regatta including daily morning pre-race shows, the Friday and Saturday press conferences, the awards ceremony Saturday evening, and of course live coverage of the racing Friday and Saturday. Watch the shows live on Facebook and YouTube, or a replay on demand. The broadcast schedule is below.
Wednesday - Saturday
9:00 AM Pre-race "Morning Show"
Friday
11:30 AM Racing (all day coverage)
7:00 PM Press conference with semi-finalists
Saturday
11:30 AM Racing (all day coverage)
5:00 PM Press conference and Awards
Website: govcupracing.com/copy-of-race-documents