Baldwin Cup: Host takes early lead

Newport Beach, CA (April 4, 2014) – The Baldwin Cup Team Cup Race, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, kicked off the first of three days with spirited close racing among the 12 yacht club teams. Newport Harbor Yacht Club once again welcomed competitors from 9 respected yacht clubs from across the United States and The Royal Thames Yacht Club from London. Competitors converged at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club yesterday.

Today’s racing began in sunny skies, with light winds of four knots out of the south west, building throughout the day from the west up to 14 knots.

Ending the day with 45 races, there are 21 races remaining in the Round Robin.

The standings are as follows: NHYC Thunder is in 1st, Seawanhaka and Southern tied for 2nd, and NHYC Lightning and St. Francis are tied for 4th. Full results are available at www.baldwincup.com and today’s blog/access to photos: http://baldwincup.com/wp/2014/04/04/2014-friday-in-review/

Today’s racing, according to a assistant race director Charlie Underwoord, was, ”pretty west coast mellow.” Alfredo Ricci, a visiting umpire from Italy, described today’s competition as, “great stadium racing, marvelous and, as they say in my home country, just another day in the office.”

Today’s Round Robin 1 with all teams was a day to shake out the cobwebs and learn the ins and outs of the equalized Harbor 20s.

Baldwin Cup Race Committee Chairman Ramser noted, “All of our competitors had a great time and a wonderful day of sailing. We continue to see long standing rivalries, that no doubt, will be front and center throughout the weekend.”

Source: Event media