Tight at top of Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup

San Pedro, CA (March 14, 2015) – Five races were held on Day Two of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup, with four different teams earning bullets in this highly competitive intercollegiate invitational big boat regatta. But at the end of day and Race Eight (in the series), California Maritime’s Keelhaulers clung to a one-point lead over College of Charleston, who won two of Saturday’s races.

Saturday’s races kicked off in a five-knot breeze from the west, after a brief postponement. As the wind shifted and fluctuated, so did the leaderboard.

Charleston’s Cougars won the first race of the day (Race Four). “This is a really competitive event,” said Cougars skipper Jay Greenfield, adding that the competition keeps them “on their toes. It’s important not to get too crazy or wrapped up in your position, and just sail a clean race. Go out, have fun, stay cool, calm and collected, and hopefully with that good results will come.”

The second race of the day (Race Five) the Cal State Long Beach 49ers struck gold, winning by a nose over Cal Maritime – who rebounded to win Race Six: showing off their winning form and hiking hard right up to the marks.

The wind held steady – and temperatures warm. As the day evolved, and stakes increased, the starts became more vocal and testing. NY Maritime’s Privateers suffered a damaging OCS in Race Seven, while the Cougars leapt to the top once more. And in the last race, the University of Southern California Trojans burst off the line and into first place, with nearly a minute’s lead over the next boat.

“It was a long day and at the end of the fourth race, we were feeling it,” said USC skipper Matt Hecht. “But we pulled it together for the last one, and that felt awesome.” The team sits in third place overall, followed closely by the US Navy Midshipmen.

Races will continue Sunday March 15, for the 2015 Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup title, in the Pacific waters off Los Angeles’ Pt. Fermin.

Conditions are anticipated to remain clear – although forecast to be lighter – with dolphins and whales expected to visit the racecourse again, to the delight of sailors and spectators alike.

Event details – Complete results

Report and photos by event media.