Navy rises at Harbor Cup

San Pedro, CA (March 10, 2018) – The US Naval Academy Midshipmen sailed to the top of the leaderboard on Day Two of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup regatta here.

Vying against nine other college teams from across the US and Ireland, the Midshipmen logged three bullets, plus one fourth and one sixth, in foggy, drizzly conditions that tested both the talent and tenacity of competing co-eds.

”There have been a couple of light races that have been really frustrating for us, but the later parts of the day have been really nice, with good breeze,” said Sean Cornell, skipper of University of South Florida, who won the last race of the day. “We got off the pin well and were fast, and were able to hold the left side of the course.

“The starts have been really tricky. The starting line is really small, so you’re either off the line well or you’re spit out the back. We had a couple of times where we left a few points on the table.”

They finished they day in fourth place with 34 points, just two points behind the University of California Santa Barbara Gauchos, and four points behind California Maritime Academy. “We still have a shot at the podium, Cornell summed. “Tomorrow, go out and get off the line well: that’s our goal.”

Cal Maritime gave a glimpse of their pedigree, winning the third race of the day, and inching ahead of the Gauchos. But it was Navy who was propelled front and center, with a 10-point margin over the second place boat.

“Of all the regattas we do during the year, this is my favorite,” said Midshipmen skipper Teddy Papenthien. “The competition is great, and it’s fun to be here: LAYC rolls out the red carpet for us. It’s an absolute privilege to come out here.”

The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup regatta has been held since 2008, sponsored by the Port of LA and hosted by LAYC and Cal Maritime. This invitational one-design regatta is raced in the challenging waters outside the Port of LA aboard an equalized fleet of Catalina 37 sloops, managed and maintained by the Long Beach Sailing Foundation.

Racing concludes tomorrow with a more favorable forecast for clear skies and 7-10 knots of southeasterly breeze.

California Maritime Academy is seeking to defend its title with racing scheduled on March 9 to 11 in San Pedro, CA.

Event details – Results

Source: Betsy Crowfoot