Skippers selected for Governor’s Cup

Published on April 22nd, 2019

The 53rd Governor’s Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship has named ten skippers and a first alternate to compete in the 2019 edition to be held July 16-20 in Newport Beach, CA.

A New Zealand contingent will be led by 2017 and 2018 runner-up Leonard Takahashi, as well as Nick Egnot-Johnson, who was 5th in the 2019 Congressional Cup, and Jordan Stevenson, winner of the 2018 HARKEN International Youth Match Racing Championship.

United States skippers include Jack Parkin, a former U.S. Youth Match Racing Champion, and Wade Waddell, winner of the 2018 College Match Race Nationals. Also selected is Frank Dair, winner of the 2018 Musto International Youth Match Racing Championship.

There will be at least one additional USA skipper named at the conclusion of the U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup hosted by San Diego Yacht Club in June 2019. The Rose Cup winner receives an automatic invitation.

In addition, Balboa Yacht Club (BYC), as host club, will also name a skipper. If a BYC skipper should win the Rose Cup, one of the alternate skippers named by the Selection Committee will receive an invitation.

Completing the field is Mans Holmberg (SWE), Jeppe Borch (DEN), Finn Tapper (AUS), Matt Whitfield (GBR). The first alternate is Clare Costanzo (AUS) should any of the others be unable to participate.

Identical “GovCup 22” sloops will again be provided to all competitors. First used in the 50th Anniversary regatta in 2016, they were designed by former BYC Commodore Alan Andrews and built by Westerly Marine in nearby Santa Ana. They feature a “flat top” mainsail, masthead spinnaker, modern “T” keel and an “all up” weight of only 1470 lbs (666 kg).

The competition format begins with a double round-robin series (July 16-18) to advance the top four teams to the Semi-Finals (July 19) and the Finals (July 20).

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Source: Balboa Yacht Club