Virgen: 50th Governor’s Cup proves to be special

Just before the Governor’s Cup champions were honored Saturday at Balboa Yacht Club, Andy Rose wanted to relay a message about next year’s Gov Cup.

It will be the 50th annual Governor’s Cup at BYC next year.

“You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” Rose said in reference to the prestigious international youth match racing regatta that will celebrate its 50th year next year, July 16-23.

To say next year’s Gov Cup will be special might be an understatement.

Next year, the age limit will go up from 21-and-under to two years, 23U. The 2013 and 2014 Gov Cup champ Sam Gilmour might just come back and race against or with his younger brother Lachy for Royal Freshwater Bay of Perth, Australia.

“We are looking forward to next year,” said Rose, who provides commentary during the Gov Cup and is a two-time champion of the regatta (1969, 1970).

The Gov Cup boats are going up from 21-footers to 22s.

The new Gov Cup 22s will be built at Dencho Marine, an experienced custom boat builder in Long Beach.

Dencho is known for building other successful boats, including IT’S OK and larger boats Medicine Man and Magnitude 80.

The 22s will feature a crew of four women, three men or a three or four-person co-ed team.

BYC is doing its best to raise money to have the boats ready for next year’s Gov Cup.

The christening of the boats is tentatively scheduled for July 15.

On July 16, the Gov Cup will hold an Alumni Regatta, which will feature past champions and sailors of the Gov Cup.

Invitees will include James Spithill, the two-time America’s Cup winner.

The 50th Gov Cup co-chair is Tom Purcell. His parents, Chet and Glee Purcell founded the Governor’s Cup.

Paul Blank is also a co-chair. He was the chairman for the 30th Gov Cup. He provided the tweets on Twitter for the Gov Cup last week.

Winning the Gov Cup for the 50th year will certainly be a sensational feat. The locals, of course, will be rooting for BYC, skippered by Christophe Killian, which finished third for the second straight year last week.

BYC hasn’t won the Gov Cup since 1980.

There hasn’t been an American champ since 2011 when Nevin Snow won for San Diego Yacht Club.

Harry Price of Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is expected to return to defend his title.

Last but certainly not least, there will be a documentary produced to commemorate the 50th year. The documentary is by Gary Jobson. A preview can be seen on the BYC website.

The film is set to premiere during the evening of July 16 at Lido Theater.