Petersen no underdog for Governor’s Cup

Among the 12 teams from five nations that will compete in the 55th Governor’s Cup International Youth Match Racing, the home club squad would seem to be a heavy favorite during the racing on July 26-30 in Newport Beach, CA.

Jeffrey Petersen (USA), representing host Balboa Yacht Club, is the defending champion plus his team just won the 2022 Youth Match Racing World Championship in France. “I’ve always preferred to be the ‘underdog’ going into a regatta,” noted Petersen. “I guess that will be more difficult this year!”

Last year’s 10th place Governor’s Cup finisher, Marius Westerlind (SWE), obviously learned a lot over the past year as he finished second to Petersen at the Worlds, and the three-time Swedish Youth Match Racing Champion will have a chance to settle the score at the Governor’s Cup.

Petersen and Westerlind will face plenty of competition in this year’s fleet, with one of the toughest expected to be Jordan Stevenson (NZL)—the highest-ranked match racer in World Sailing’s “Open” (non-age limited) rankings at number 12—making a return after a three-year absence.

With the absence of COVID travel restrictions, the 55th edition has a deeper international contingent, which is open to invited competitors that have not have reached their 23rd birthday prior to the event. But there are four other USA teams that would like to grip the trophy.

The 2022 event has the return of Morgan Pinckney (USA) who, at 17, will again be the youngest competitor. Pinckney was third last year, and in June won the U.S. Youth Match Racing Championship for the Rose Cup.

Reigning College Match Race and Team Race National Champion Jack Egan (USA) will sail in his second edition, as will 2021 semi-finalist Porter Kavle (USA). Both will try to move up the leaderboard this year. Ansgar Jordan (USA) will also return for his second appearance.

The format begins with a double round robin qualifying series to advance the top four teams to the knock-out rounds for semi-final, petit-final, and final matches.

Details: https://www.matchracingresults.com/2022/governors-cup/