Beneteau Cup hosted 48 boats at 2019 regatta

South Coast Yachts hailed this year's event, which drew in more than 330 sailors, as the largest ever.

SAN DIEGO—South Coast Yachts and San Diego Yacht Club hosted what was hailed as the largest regatta of its type ever, as the 2019 Beneteau Cup drew in 48 boats and 330-plus sailors, Sept. 21-22. Organizers Rick Day and Barrett Canfield both stated this was the largest Beneteau Cup in the world, edging out a similar regatta in Sydney, Australia. Canfield and Day are both with South Coast Yachts.

The Beneteau Cup is an instructional and educational sailing event, specifically geared toward new and novice racers. Sailors introduced to racing via the Beneteau Cup have went on to win other regattas, according to Canfield and Day.

Ocean racing at Coronado Roads highlighted the first day of the regatta, with fairly light winds (8 to 10 knots, WNW). Cruising Class 1 featured 13 boats, with another 15 racing in Cruising Class 2. Both classes ran two triangle courses.

The 36.7s competed for a West Coast Championship while the 40.7s raced in three windward-leeward courses.

“Sunday, with a lighter and a shifty breeze, SDYC Race Committee did an amazing job setting a pretty tight W/L course for three races for the 40.7’s & 36.7’s (to finish their Championship), while sending the other three classes on various round-the-bay, random-leg courses,” Beneteau Cup staff said in a released statement. “The sun was out, the breeze was warm, and the racing was lively. It was quite a sight to see with 30+ Beneteau cruisers headed down the bay flying their beautiful kites. Everyone wrapped up around 3:30 pm, which was perfect timing to head back to the 4:30 awards ceremony.”

Trophies were awarded to the top four finishers in each of the four classes.

David and Sheri Normandin (Dana Point Yacht Club) won Cruising Class 1 aboard Freedom (Oceanis 55), while Brad Salute finished ahead of the Cruising Class 2 pack on Kimberly, his Oceanis 41.1.

Larry Kliger of Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club won the Beneteau First 30 trophy (First Series Class) aboard Healer.

Winner of the Overall Class Championship for the 36.7 Class was Thomas Shephard of Oceanside Yacht Club; his boat is Kraken.

San Diego YC’s Warren Gross was the First 40.7 One-Design Class winner; he sailed aboard his boat, Silhouette.

The 2019 Beneteau Cup was sponsored by South Coast Yachts, The Dingy Doctor, Helly Hansen, Mt. Gay, Kathy O’Brian/Doyle Sails, Fiddler’s Green, Harbor Sailboats, Steadfast Finance, Shelter Island Boat Yard, Rigworks, Cynthia Sinclair, Eddie Franke and Beneteau America.

Next year’s Beneteau Cup will be held Sept. 18-20, 2020.

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