San Diego YC faces big challenge to repeat at Gov Cup

Winning the Governor’s Cup for the second straight year won’t come easy for San Diego Yacht Club.

Skipper Kevin Snow and SDYC must win three straight races against Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club of New Zealand on Sunday to advance to the finals.

San Diego Yacht Club has lost the first two races in the semifinals to RPNYC, which was chosen by SDYC after it had led heading into the semifinals. The first team to win three races between SDYC and RPNYC advances to the finals.

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Cruising Yacht Club of Australia are in the other semifinal. Both teams have won one race each.

Saturday conditions started light but improved as the day went on with the afternoon bringing 10 to 12 knot winds. The temperature stayed in the 70’s. The race course was set up north of the Newport pier.

— From staff reports