NHYC Lightning Leading at Baldwin Cup

Newport Beach, CA (April 5, 2019) – In increasing breezes out of the west, 96 racers in the 2019 Baldwin Cup Team Race (BCTR) presented by JPMorgan Chase, competed 108 races as of the end of day two, despite late night festivities with Goslings Rum’ best potions and mysterious Duffy boat excursions with take-out pizza.

Today’s racing began with perfect Newport Beach conditions that by mid-afternoon had built up to 12 knots out of the west, with the weather mark adjacent to the dock, ideal for premier stadium racing. At the end of day two, Newport Harbor Yacht Club Team Lighting is first, Larchmont Yacht Club is second and San Diego Yacht Club and St. Francis Yacht Club are tied for third.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s Team Lighting is looking strong, with San Diego Yacht Club and Larchmont Yacht Club turning in top performances. The Annapolis Yacht Club will face off tomorrow with The Seawanhaka Yacht Club for a chance to go to the knockout round. “It can all change on Sunday,” said BCTR veteran, “tomorrow it is sail or die.”

Reid Vitarelli from Newport Harbor Yacht Club’s Team Thunder, noted, “We are just trying to survive. If Team Lighting can continue beating people we can fight our way back in,” showcasing the expected home town rivalry.

The umpires weighed in on best practices for when the wind comes, “We need to be more cognizant of the hiking rules, especially since they were modified this year, in addition to be being especially well-positioned on the course, because things happen much more quickly in the increased wind.”

“Our new clubhouse, with its multi-level viewing points is a five-star venue for spectator viewing,” said Staff Commodore Jeff Gordon and event chair. “It does not get better than this. Our guests were treated to amazing racing today, sometimes literally two boat lengths from the dock. Today’s westerly winds were ideal NHYC’s stadium viewing.”

Other Baldwin Cup Team Race traditions were front and center including 25 cent beers, the Royal Thames Yacht Club’s cricket skills, and a fierce corn hole competition. In an unexpected challenge, the race’s admin team pulled out their best excel magic tricks after some technical difficulties with the scoring program.

Lastly, Tom Hogan was in training as an understudy to Staff Commodore Dwight Belden who has perfected the art of setting marks in a director’s chair with a Cuban cigar.

Twelve 4-boat teams are competing in the Harbor 20, with the race course just off the docks of host Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

The 12th edition has attracted teams from Annapolis Yacht Club (Annapolis, MD), Balboa Yacht Club (Newport Beach, CA), Corinthian Yacht Club, Larchmont Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Royal Thames Yacht Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, San Diego Yacht Club, Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, and Southern Yacht Club.

Racing is scheduled for on April 4-6.

Event Details – Results – Facebook

2019 Entry List:
Annapolis Yacht Club – Annapolis, MD
Cole Allsopp
Debbie Gosselin
John Howell
Jonathan Bartlett
Patrick Floyd
Sarah Russell
Charlie Lomax
Ginny Minninger

Balboa Yacht Club – Newport Beach, CA
Katie McDowell
Christine Robertson
Shannon Steele
Chuck Simmons
Alex Steele
Greg Newman
Aubrey Mayer
Jon Novak

Corinthian Yacht Club – Marblehead, MA
Will Bailey
Kate Donegan
Evan Cooke
Patrick Donegan
Joe Fava
Elise Nash
Duncan Swain
Sam Madden

Larchmont Yacht Club – Larchmont, NY
Danny Pletsch
Tori Porter
Cardwell Potts
Kendra Emhiser
Graham Landy
Jason Caroll
Senet Pletsch
Jennifer Potts

New York Yacht Club – New York, NY
Derek Webster
Anna Han
Nicky Souter
James Barry
Harry Koepell
Charles Welsh
William Gammell
Lauren Koch

Royal Thames Yacht Club – London, UK
Andy Cornah
Scott Millar
Ben Ainsworth
Tom Heywood
Arthur Henderson
James Pindar
Fiona Hampshire
Greg Hall

St. Francis Yacht Club – San Francisco, CA
Mateo Vargas
Craig Healy
Morgan Larson
Joey Pasquali
Kevin Laube
Russ Silvestri
Kieran Chung
Eliza Richartz

San Diego Yacht Club – San Diego, CA
Jake Reynolds
Erik Shampain
Tyler Sinks
Lucy Wallace
Adam Roberts
Nick Martin
Scott Sinks
Nick Kaschak

Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club – Oyster Bay, NY
Dave Perry
Holly Constants
John Storck, III
Emily Babbitt
Ian Storck
Kyle Shattuck
Joel Hanneman
Sophie DeLaCour

Southern Yacht Club – New Orleans, LA
Charles Higgins
Corky Potts
Dwight Leblanc
Ward Pitard
Scott Sonnier
Wendy Kerrigan
Christian Gambel
Kohl Killeen

Newport Harbor Yacht Club Lightning – Newport Beach, CA
Caleb Silsby
Bill Menninger
Mac Mace
Ward Mace
Alex Curtiss
Robert Kinney
Jake La Dow
Chris Banholzer

Newport Harbor Yacht Club Thunder – Newport Beach, CA
Brian Bissell
Perry Bissell
Justin Law
Randall Hause
Scott Hogan
Tim Hogan
Tyler Macdonald
Reid Vitarelli

Source: Chris Ann Goddard