Harry Price wins Governor’s Cup

Newport Beach, CA (July 21, 2018) – Cementing his position atop the world of match-race sailing, Harry Price (AUS) showed his prowess in boat handling and tactics in a challenging 3-2 win over 20th ranked Leonard Takahashi (NZL) to claim the 52nd Annual Governor’s Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship.

The final day of racing started with the same four sailors as last year’s semi-finals. But at the end of the day, it was not Killian and Takahashi, as in 2017, but Price and Takahashi facing off in the finals.

With strong winds and a sizeable ground swel, making a big impact on sailing and rigging, Price and Takahashi traded victories after two races. But in race number three, after a close start and both sailors beating hard off the line on starboard tack, Price suddenly found himself with half a mast. Umpires quickly signaled the black flag indicating that Takahashi would claim the race.

After both skippers moved to new boats, Price was trailing 1-2, needing a win to stay in the hunt for his second GovCup championship. After tenuous jockeying, both sailors started on the line on starboard tack. After Price tacked away for clear air, Takahashi and Price met again and again in a tacking duel to the windward mark.

Managing a slight advantage, Price made the turn first, then used expert jibing to increase his lead to three boat lengths at the leeward mark. With both skippers staying left on the final upwind leg, Price maintained the lead at the turn and on the final leg to pull even with Takahashi at 2-2.

In the deciding race, Takahashi had the lead at the first cross but instead of covering, he allowed Price to go right in clear air. This might have been the decision of the race as Price managed to force Takahashi to tack at the next crossing. At the windward mark, Price extended a small lead with an expert spinnaker set, while Takahashi struggled to set his chute. At the gate, Prices’ advantage grows, as it does again at the last windward mark. Little changed on the downwind leg, as Price claimed his second GovCup championship.

Christophe Killian (USA, College of Charleston YC) sailed past Christopher Weis (USA, Del Rey YC) 2-1 in the Petit Final.

The Governor’s Cup was sailed in BYC’s Governor’s Cup 22 sloops for sailors no more than 22 years old. Racing was held on July 17-21.

Event details – Results

2018 Teams:
Will Boulden (AUS), Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club
Crew: Alex Negri & Peron Pearse

Clare Costanzo (AUS), Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club
Crew: Jessica Angus, Hannah Lanz, & Ruby Scholten

Felix Jacobsen (DEN), Royal Danish Yacht Club
Crew: Sebastian Pieters & August de la Cour

Christophe Killian (USA), College of Charleston Yacht Club
Crew: Porter Killian & Jeffrey Petersen

Harry Price (AUS), Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Crew: Angus Williams & Harry Hall

Jack Parkin (USA), Riverside Yacht Club
Crew: Wiley Rogers, Victoria Thompson, & Bram Brakman

Scott Sinks (USA), San Diego Yacht Club
Crew: Wade Waddell & Johannes McElvain

Leonard Takahashi (NZL), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Crew: Josh Wijohn & Taylor Balogh

Christopher Weis (USA), Del Rey Yacht Club
Crew: Roberto Stevens & Dylan Finestone

Matt Whitfield (GBR), Penarth Yacht Club
Crew: Scott Wallis & Zak Bermon

James Wilson (NZL), Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Crew: Marco Hull & Logan Andresen

David Wood (USA), Balboa Yacht Club
Crew: Max Brennan & Catherine Reynolds

Source: BYC