San Diego Yacht Club Yachting Cup - Preview

San Diego Yacht Club's signature spring regatta, Yachting Cup, is just around the corner and many prominent sailors are eagerly awaiting and training for the event. There are over 40 boats registered from over a dozen yacht clubs, and there is still room on the registration list for participants to sign-up as nearly 100 entries are expected.

Many of those registered for the 2016 Yachting Cup have a history with the event, including Curt Johnson from California Yacht Club, skipper of the J/80, Avet.

"This is probably our tenth or twelfth Yachting Cup we've competed in. The spring conditions in San Diego, in addition to the stellar competition and race management, make it a 'must do' event for us. SDYC often adds a new element to keep the regatta fresh and interesting, whether it's a new format for Friday racing or a new social activity. This all adds up to a terrific experience that keeps us coming back year after year."

The 2016 Yachting Cup will take place from April 29-May 1, and will feature three days of racing scheduled both in the bay and out on the ocean. After each day of racing, competitors will be invited to return to SDYC for post-race activities and socializing.

Chick Pyle, owner of Kea, voiced his enthusiasm for the event. "We always look forward to Yachting Cup because the sailing conditions are usually perfect, and the SDYC venue and hospitality are world class, while Yachting Cup is a highlight for our Beneteau 36.7 one design fleet high point series."

Skippers can continue to register their boats until 5:00pm on Monday, April 25th. There are a variety of classes this year with boat types ranging from J/70s to Farr40s to a Transpac 52.

Neil Fraser, owner of the 1D35 Mexican Divorce, comes down from Marina del Rey each year to compete and catch up with old friends at the post-race festivities. "I did my first Yachting Cup in 1992. I encourage all race boats to get out of their own back yard, come down to San Diego and see how they stack up against some of the better sailors in Southern California. It is always a great weekend."

Dennis Pennell will be competing on Blue Blazes, his Reichel/Pugh 50. "Yachting Cup is one of the premier SDYC events of the year for big boats. This regatta gives us the opportunity to compete against a larger number of yachts in our class as we usually have several boats entered from the Los Angeles area in addition to our local San Diego competitors. This makes for very aggressive close racing."

Victor Wild's brand new Botin TP52, Fox, has just arrived from the builder, Cookson Boats in New Zealand, and is being commissioned in San Diego in preparation for Yachting Cup. Wild will be defending his 2015 Yachting Cup title which he won with his older TP52, Bud.

Many previous winners of Yachting Cup have their goals set high, especially the regatta's 2013 winner, Tim Fuller on J/125, Resolute. "The Yachting Cup is the premier fleet racing event in San Diego, and the Resolute crew will do all they can to fly the winners flag."

SDYC Staff Commodore John Laun, winner of the 2012 Yachting Cup and owner of the J/120 caper, is also registered for this year's race. "The level of competition has typically been very high and J/120 class winners have been named the overall winners of the Yachting Cup for all classes competing five times since 2003. As an SDYC signature regatta, it's always one we aim for on caper every year, and this year will be especially fun and focused since it is essential that we win to be in the hunt for the J/120 annual fleet championship. We always look forward to the close competition and excellent camaraderie in the J/120 fleet."

The awards ceremony will be held at San Diego Yacht Club after the completion of races on Sunday, May 1 where prizes will be awarded by class.

The Yachting Cup would like to thank its sponsors: Pirates Lair, Ballast Point, SunBum, Helly Hansen, North Sails, North Sails Graphics, SD Boatworks, Tesla Motors, Anchor Gloves, and Lemon & Lime.

www.yachtingcup.com