Host defends title at Baldwin Cup

Newport Beach, CA (April 12, 2015) – With 134 races under their belts with varied but exciting conditions, dramatic finishes and stadium style racing with over 300 cheering spectators, 96 sailors competed in the three-day Baldwin Cup Team Race presented by JP Morgan Chase. For the second year in a row, Team Thunder of host yacht club Newport Harbor clinched first place, Larchmont Yacht Club took second in very close racing and Southern Yacht Club and Yale Corinthian Yacht Club tied for third.

“Larchmont was an incredible competitor,” said Gale Nye Pinckney, junior staff commodore, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, and member of Team Thunder. “They certainly tested our skills. We thank all of the competitors for participating, some coming very long distances. The competition level is extraordinary and so much fun. We love this regatta because not only is it competitive, but also, it has a jovial atmosphere with lots of camaraderie.”

The regatta uses a team format with four on four equalized Harbor 20s, requiring a more complicated strategy to secure a win. Racers are required to sail their absolute best, changing strategies minute to minute. The crowd saw this “on the fly” thinking in the penultimate race where Team Thunder worked together to come back from a 7-8 (guaranteed loss), to win the race and go on to win the regatta.

“We couldn’t ask for a better three days – beautiful weather, phenomenal competition, dramatic finishes and an active party schedule with lively stories,” said Gary P. Hill, vice commodore of the Newport Harbor Yacht Club. “Winning the entire regatta is an added bonus, especially two years in a row. The final three races were incredibly close between Team Thunder and Larchmont Yacht Club, providing our spectators with best in class racing. Both of our teams competed hard and were a stellar example of the sailing spirit. We thank all of the competitors, especially those that traveled far to be part of this event. We could not host this first class event without the help of our volunteers. We are most grateful to our sponsor JP Morgan Chase, who joined us for a second year.“

“This year’s Baldwin Cup Team Race was amazing, with three days of beautiful skies and great sailing,” said Ethan Morgan, market manager, J.P.Morgan Private Bank. “It doesn’t get better than sharing this wonderful experience with our partners and friends at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club and with our vibrant local community where we make our home. We couldn’t think of a better partner than the Newport Harbor Yacht Club that did a fantastic job of raising the bar with this event. We look forward to being part of this great event for years to come.”

Technology was on display throughout the regatta, with coverage generated by a drone, GoPro cameras and a free app on ITunes, also available for Android.

This year’s participants include: Balboa Yacht Club (Corona del Mar, Calif.), Eastern Yacht Club (Marblehead, Mass.), Larchmont Yacht Club (Larchmont, New York), New York Yacht Club (New York, New York), Pequot Yacht Club (Southport, Conn.), Seattle Yacht Club (Seattle), Seawanaka Corinthian Yacht Club (Oyster Bay, New York), Southern Yacht Club (New Orleans), the St. Francis Yacht Club (San Francisco) and the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club (New Haven, Conn.). In addition to Newport Harbor Team Thunder, Newport Harbor Lightning is the second home team boat.

Event details – Photos

Report by event media. Photo by Craig Davis.