The 2013 Yachting Cup was held at San Diego Yacht Club on Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5. After competitors picked up their document packets in the Jessop Room provided by Sailing Supply and Harken along with Mount Gay Rum hats for all, the weekend started off with a bang on Friday night at the “VIP Skippers Party”. Skippers from each of the 84 competing boats were invited to a cocktail party in the Frost Room which was a unique opportunity for them to meet one and other prior to racing. Wine, beer and champagne, which were sponsored by South Coast Yachts and JK3, were served with a wonderful seafood raw bar to snack on. Commodore Hope welcomed all of the sailors and wished them luck in the regatta over the weekend.
At the same time, a “Crew Welcome Pasta Party” was being held on the Main Deck of SDYC. All participating crew were invited to the delicious pasta station while listening to live music on the deck and in the bar.
Saturday’s racing forecast from regatta sponsor Buoyweather, called for wind at 15-20 knots out of the South with gusts to 25 knots which ended up being very
accurate.
This year’s Yachting Cup had two race courses with a Far Roads Course and a Near Roads Course. The Far Roads Course had three starts which included the PHRF AA Class, PHRF A Class & Farr 40 Classes starting together, and the J/120 Class. The Near Roads Course included the Flying Tiger Class & J/109 Classes starting together, the J/70 & J/80 Classes starting together, the J/105 Class, and PHRF B. Each course had a long windward mark and a short windward mark, leeward mark gates and finishes on the left side of the committee boat downwind. The race committee favored “Course 4” which was a windward/leeward course twice around with finishes downwind.
Competitors sailed three breezy and challenging races that were wonderfully run by the SDYC Race Committee. After a long day on the water, competitors headed in to the dock where they were welcomed with carving stations and keg beer. A special treat was having the SDYC wait staff tray serve beer to the “big boats” that were med-tied in the main basin.
Once competitors had their boats packed away it was time to party! At around 5:30pm the awesome mariachi band arrived in the SDYC Main Dining Room and the “Cinco de Mayo Party” was on! The SDYC taco station was a huge hit with Don Julio Tequila being served by several “Tequila Girls” around the party. The club was dressed like the ultimate fiesta with piñatas, sombreros, and even mustaches on every table for people to wear! The feeling of the night was great and fun was had by all!
Sunday’s forecast called for slightly lighter race conditions with 15-18 knots of breeze with gusts to 20 knots out of the South. It was another challenging day of racing for competitors with three races, especially because of a few rain squalls hitting mid-day. Again, the SDYC Race Committee favored “Course 4” and racing concluded around 3:30 pm.
While competitors were on their way to the docks, the SDYC Staff and Volunteers were setting up the Main Dining Room for the awards ceremony. Chili dogs, nachos and kegs of beer were available for competitors to snack on while they waited for the awards to get under way. Pirate’s Lair also had their booth set up so that competitors could purchase some Yachting Cup gear before heading home.
Commodore Hope welcomed competitors to the ceremony while his wife Kitsy stood by to hand out awards to regatta winners. Prizes were awarded to ten classes with beautiful perpetual trophies handed out alongside the champagne buckets, decanters and beer pitchers. All first place crew received beer mugs as well. Sponsor prizes were provided for First, Second and Third Place winners by North Sails, Anchor Gloves, JK3, Soft Deck and Ullman Sails. The Overall Regatta Winner was Tim Fuller on his J/125 “Resolute” from the very competitive PHRF Class A. Tim was awarded with the Yachting Cup Overall Perpetual Trophy along with a gift certificate from Kona Kai and an SD Boatworks Custom Carbon Fiber Kelp Stick.