Eight Class Winners Named at 2026 Philadelphia Cup Regatta

by Carol Bareuther 5 Oct 01:05 BST October 3, 2026

Breeze, current, and keeping the boat moving made the difference Saturday at the 2026 Philadelphia Cup Regatta, where more than 60 boats from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware raced in eight classes off Center City Philadelphia.

Skipper Zachary York and the J/70 Mini Maxi team read the conditions right to win the regatta's largest fleet, the 17-boat PHRF handicap class, as the breeze lightened beneath the Ben Franklin Bridge.

"We thought the right was the favored side of the course. Even though there was more current, there was more breeze out there, and we were able to connect the dots and get punched out in front of the fleet pretty early," says York, of Sewell, NJ, who raced with his father, Matthew York, Merlin Suggs III and Skye Miller. "In the third race, we hit something near the bridge and had seven or eight boats pass us, but we stuck to our game plan, played the puffs and worked our way back to third. Sailing in such a big fleet is much more challenging, and going downwind under the Ben Franklin Bridge and past the city was a great way to have a fun day on the water."

Competitors sailed two to four races in boats ranging from 14-foot, singlehanded ISCA (Sunfish) and Lasers to 30-foot keelboats, with J/22s, Mariners and Flying Scots among the one-design classes and two historic 23.5-foot Corinthian Sloops.

Class by Class Recap

The 17-boat PHRF class, the regatta's largest, went to York and Mini Maxi. PHRF handicaps boats of different designs and speeds for scoring. Moorestown, NJ's George Bader finished second aboard the J/24 Knight Errant, with Riverton, NJ's Glenn Smyth third aboard the J/29 Shadowfax.

The Non-Spinnaker class came down to a tiebreak. Bryn Athyn, PA's Bryon Odhner, aboard the Colgate 26 Colorado, and Burlington, NJ's Don Hoefle, aboard the Able Pointin 24 Hot Canary, each scored a first and second. The tiebreak gave Odhner and Colorado the win, with Hot Canary second. Bristol, PA's Thomas Jones finished third aboard the Hunter 295, Thomas Jones Jr.

"The river is very challenging to sail, with strong currents, shifty winds, shoals and traffic. People who have not sailed here before have a very hard time," says Odhner, an 80-year-old sailing instructor, captain and member of the Delaware River Yacht Club. "I love the Center City venue, and this year was great. I will be bringing five boats down next year."

Mount Laurel, NJ's Joseph Pelosi won two of three races aboard F.S. 5990 to take the Flying Scot class. Riverton, NJ's Arthur Littleton was one point back in second aboard Flying Scot, with Cherry Hill, NJ's Mike Levy third aboard Jersey Devil.

Cinnaminson, NJ's Dan Walsh won two of three races aboard Mariner to take the Mariner class. Manahawkin, NJ's Thomas Green took second aboard Gumby, with Havertown, PA's Jim Irwin third aboard Blue Wonder.

"We figured out pretty early that we wanted to stay toward the New Jersey shore, looking for wind and staying out of the strongest current as much as we could," says Walsh, who raced with Riverton Yacht Club Commodore Lynn Mills. "Watching the wind and tide and making those adjustments throughout the race really helped us."

Only two points separated the top three in the 11-boat J/22 class. Riverton, NJ's Ryan Lippincott won aboard Jawn, one point ahead of Philadelphia's Alexander Kearney on Mad Dog. Conshohocken, PA's Kevin Leigh finished another point back in third aboard Knot Now.

"The breeze was shifty and patchy with the buildings and bridge shadowing it. The boats that could link the puffs together best seemed to be able to keep their boat speed up," says Lippincott, who raced with Tod Wentz and Billy Martin. "Halfway down the final downwind leg, we sailed into a hole, and three boats passed us. We put our heads down, linked a couple of puffs together just a little bit better and got two boats back in the last quarter-mile, which was just enough to win the class."

Philadelphia's Lucas Koenig swept the Laser class with four straight wins. Bala Cynwyd, PA's Kent Steinriede finished second, with West Chester, PA's Matthew Little third.

One point separated the top two in ICSA after four races. Middletown, DE's 16-year-old Brendan Mack won, ahead of Philadelphia's Olivia Barbounis on Liv2sail. Stockton, NJ's Valerie Wheatley finished third.

"Roll tacking was important to not lose speed, and tactically it was about being ready for the start and minimizing the current," says Mack. "I also used a strategic overshoot of the marks to compensate for the current and get a tighter lay line upwind."

Mack also got a uniquely Philadelphia moment when the Battleship New Jersey's guns fired while he raced nearby.

Two historic Corinthian Sloops brought Philadelphia sailing history onto the river. Wynnewood, PA's Charles McCammon and Delaware won both races, with sister sloop Tinicum second.

"We primarily wanted to have fun and see these two classic yachts out on the river," says McCammon. "We relied on our skipper, Katherine Meinhardt, to keep the boat sailing with speed, out of the current and in the stronger breeze. We really enjoyed connecting with sailors from other clubs on the Delaware and seeing competitive racing in the heart of Philadelphia."

Class champions will have their names engraved on The Philadelphia Cup, the regatta's perpetual trophy. For complete results, see yachtscoring.com/emenu/50909

Sailing Fun Onshore

Spectators followed the racing from the Philadelphia waterfront, with Cherry Street Pier offering a prime viewing spot and Race Street Pier and other locations along the Delaware River providing additional vantage points. The day wrapped up at the Independence Seaport Museum with an awards ceremony followed by a patriotic-themed dinner reception celebrating America's 250th anniversary.

"The regatta is an amazing example of what a patchwork of people and organizations who all love the Delaware River can do," says Laura Ness, regatta director. "The Philadelphia Cup has returned to its former glory as a can't-miss event. I am incredibly grateful for the help, support, patience and grace of our sailors, the regatta planning team, the Independence Seaport Museum, our sponsors, the marine community and, of course, our organizing clubs — Liberty Sailing Club, Riverton Yacht Club and Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia."

Mark Your Calendar for 2027

The Philadelphia Cup, with more than 40 years of history on the Delaware River, will return in Fall 2027.

Mini Max's York is already looking to add to the fleet.

"We would definitely promote the Philadelphia Cup to the J/70 fleet in Cape May for next year," York says.

Odhner, on Colorado, plans to do the same, saying, "I will be bringing five boats down next year."

Volunteer & Sponsor Support

The Philadelphia Cup Regatta was organized by Liberty Sailing Club, Riverton Yacht Club and Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia, with support from the Independence Seaport Museum and the Philadelphia-area marine community.

Sponsors included Lemon Co Catering, Live! Casino, Con Murphy's Irish Pub, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation, SeaPhilly, PhilaSail, Breezy's Deli, Porcos Porchetteria, Small Oven Bakery, Mainstay Independent Brewing, The Campari Group, Isotrails Photography, Dom Savini Photography, Pier 5, Comcast Spectator, Big Mountain Imaging and Pier 3.

For more information, visit the Philadelphia Cup Regatta website at www.philadelphiacupregatta.com, or follow the regatta on Facebook at PhiladelphiaCupRegatta and Instagram at @philly_cup_regatta.