Baldwin Cup: A team racing institution

Published on February 20th, 2014

The 2014 Baldwin Cup takes place April 4-6 at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club, which will host 11 of the most prestigious yacht clubs on the bay at Newport Beach, CA.

In five short years, the Baldwin Cup Team Race has become an institution among national level team racers and is one of the most sought after invitations in the country. It just keeps getting better every year. 2014 will be the sixth running of the Baldwin Cup.

The 4 on 4 team racing event has proven to be highly spectator friendly, and the Club opens its doors to the community – offering 25 cent beers as well as famous California hospitality.

During the 2013 edition, NHYC’s Food & Beverage Director Patrick Le Bras reported the crowd consumed 21 kegs of beer and 120 bottle of chardonnay.

The racing was action packed too, offering elite level racing in Harbor 20, with Larchmont YC pulling a stunning come from behind victory over Newport Harbor YC for the title.

This star-studded event of the sailing world hosts a red carpet cast of esteemed sailors. Only the best of the best compete at the Baldwin Cup. In 2013, of the 11 teams, 21 sailors were All-Americans, 15 were National Champions, 5 Olympians and 7 were World Champs.

When asked about who would be the biggest competition in the pre-regatta interviews last year, many sailors noted the deep field, or singled out the home team or last year’s champs Seawanhaka, or even the 25¢ beers or famous club Mai Tais.

Larchmont sailor Molly Baxter lamented that next to no one had highlighted her team as contenders for the win. It seems her team had the last laugh in 2013.

This year promises to be even better. The regatta now includes one international team representing the Royal Thames YC, but the host has vowed to win this year to honor their new Commodore Gale Nye Pickney.

Event website: http://baldwincup.com/wp/