Sunday, May 6, 2018

Yachting Cup Preview

J/120s sailing off San Diego (San Diego, CA)- Hosted by the San Diego YC, the 2018 Yachting Cup will be held from May 4th to 6th off the promontory of Point Loma. The Yachting Cup is one of SDYC’s signature events, along with the Lipton Cup and the International Masters Invitational held in the fall.  The principal one-design classes in the regatta are the J/70s, J/105s, and J/120s. In addition, there are PHRF Offshore handicap classes.

The J/70s have another strong fleet gathered together after sailing earlier in the season in the same location for the San Diego NOOD Regatta.  Thirteen boats are registered and several new teams are participating against the veterans of the SoCal J/70 regatta circuit.  Those experienced teams include Chris Snow’s COOL STORY BRO, Dave Vieregg’s SOGGY DOLLAR, Curt Johnson’s AVET 2.01, Steve Wyman’s NUNUHUNU, Jay Janov’s MINOR THREAT, and Tom Jenkins DFZ.

J/105 sailing off San DiegoThe San Diego J/105 fleet will have nine crews on the starting line.  Watch for a repeat win from Rick Goebel & Donica Ryder’s SANITY.  Chasing them hard will be Stew Cannon’s J-OK, the Hurlburt/Driscoll duo on the bright agent orange colored JUICED, and Jon Dekker’s AIR BOSS.

The J/120s continue their annual ritualistic dance of the giants, a duel that happens to somehow change each year.  Consistency seems to be inconsistent depending not on the guy on the helm, but sail trimmers, mast, and bow gods(desses).  So, Vegas bookmakers would have a field day with this crew.  Who will step up and clean the slate with all bullets?  Or, will it be a roller-coaster experience for all?  The protagonists are the same.  The outcome most likely not.  Engaged in that dance are John Laun’s CAPER, Ernie Pennell’s MAD MEN, Rudy Hasl’s HASL FREE, Chuck Nichols CC RIDER, and Tom & Terri Manok’s POLE DANCER.

In the PHRF handicap world, we have noticed that two J/35s are now on the start line in San Diego- a boat notorious for making modern designs look old fast. Watch out for Geoff Davis’ ZFORCE and David Boatner’s RIVAL to make hay and gather some silverware.  Plus, two J/80s in another division should be competitive- Patrick Farrell’s J/WORLD UNO and Suzie Bulkley’s J/WORLD TRES.  For more Yachting Cup sailing information Add to Flipboard Magazine.