Sailing event to kick off

June Casagrande

EDITOR’S NOTE: For many people, summertime in Newport Beach means

fun times on the high, and not-so-high, seas. With the largest

pleasure harbor around and events like the Governor’s Cup and the

Flight of the Lasers, Newport Beach is at the center of a sport and

lifestyle that is more than just a pastime.

This year, with improved coverage of the Governor’s Cup, the Daily

Pilot is pleased to kick off “Boating in July,” which will become an

annual monthlong focus on the harbor.

NEWPORT BEACH -- Balboa Yacht Club officials who organize the

annual Governor’s Cup race always knew they put on a world-class

event. But now, in their 36th year, they’ve got official affirmation.

U.S. Sailing has designated the Newport Beach event as the United

States Junior Match Racing Championship, which means that this year,

the best U.S. team will automatically qualify to compete in some even

bigger and better races.

“This shows that the race

has grown in stature,” said

Mike Wathen, principal race officer for the Governor’s Cup and a

staff commodore for the yacht club. “U.S. sailing wouldn’t bestow

that honor upon the event if they didn’t hold it in high regard.”

It’s just another feather in the caps of the members of 12

impressive teams of young people who will compete in the 36th annual

Governor’s Cup Regatta. The race pits some of sailing’s most

promising teens -- no one older than 19 -- in four days of intense

competition. Each of the 12 teams represents a different yacht club.

Taking turns with eight donated boats, teams sail head-to-head

against the other teams beginning on Thursday. By the end of the race

on Sunday, every team will have faced off with every other team,

making the winner the undisputed champions of racing in their age

group.

“We have some terrific kids competing this year,” race official

Jack Butefish said.

Butefish said he was especially pleased to enter an all-female

team from St. Petersburg, Fla.

“We’re thrilled they could make it,” he said. “They’re great

sailors.”

This year, the international caliber of the race is even more

impressive as teams from Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand

take part in the race.

The team’s short course -- two laps back and forth on a quarter

mile stretch of sea -- make the event especially spectator friendly,

Wathen said. A spectator boat will go out each day to offer close-up

views of the competition, and sites from on land will offer viewing

opportunities, too.

For more information, visit the Governor’s Cup Web site at

https://www.bycgovernorscup.com/.