Balboa Yacht Club looks to defend Governor’s Cup

NEWPORT BEACH — Balboa Yacht Club will host the 52nd Governor’s Cup and hopes to repeat as winner; the signature sailing event will be held here in Newport Beach, July 16-21.

Christophe Killian defeated New Zealand’s Leonard Takahashi last year to bring the Governor’s Cup, a World Sailing Grade 3 event, to Balboa YC; it was the first time the host club kept the trophy at home since 1980.

Organizers hail the Governor’s Cup as “the oldest and most prestigious youth match racing event in the world.” Invites are predominantly based upon a skipper’s resume.

Well-known competitors such as Takahashi and Harry Price are still eligible to participate in this year’s regatta. Also eligible for this year’s Governor’s Cup is the U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship winner of the Rose Cup, as well as the top finisher of the ICSA Intercollegiate Match Racing Championship (U.S.).

All sailors seeking to compete in the 2018 Governor’s Cup must fill out the Request for Invitation form – supplied by Balboa YC – by May 11. Those selected to compete will be notified by May 18.

Sailors from around the world will descend upon Newport Beach to participate in the 52nd running of the regatta, which will feature competitors racing in custom-built Governor’s Cup 22s. The 22s were introduced during the 50th Governor’s Cup in 2016 features an open cockpit, flat top mains, masthead and spinnakers. Each boat is crewed by a team of three or four members, with a maximum weight of 579 pounds.

The race committee will select and invite at least 12 teams to participate in this year’s regatta. No member of any crew is allowed to reach his or her 23rd birthday by or before July 22, 2018.

Invitees who chose to participate in this year’s Governor’s Cup must post a $1,000 entry fee; the fee covers most meals during the regatta. Families associated with Balboa YC provide housing throughout the regatta.

This year’s regatta co-chairs are Christine Robertson and Patrick Leber.

Contact Balboa YC at 949-673-3515 (ext. 133) or sailing@balboayachtclub.com for more information. The Governor’s Cup website is govcupracing.com.

High-profile sailors who previously participated in the Governor’s Cup included Taylor Canfield, Sam Gilmour, Phil Robertson, James Spithill and Chris Steele; Gilmour won the Governor’s Cup on two occasions.