The Governor’s Cup match racing regatta in California, USA, came to an exciting conclusion on its last day with intense competition between skilled sailors. The day began with the continuation of the semi-final races from the previous day and sail-offs for the remaining rankings. All the sail-offs went the full set, making for an exhilarating start to the day.
It was the first year the competition featured an Irish entry since 2010. As regular Afloat readers know, UCD and Royal St. George's Tom Higgins added his name to the list of invitees in 2023 following Ryan Scott's (Howth Yacht Club) involvement over a decade ago.
In the semi-finals, Cole Tapper from Australia won both races against Morgan Pinckney from the USA, while Jeffrey Petersen from the USA did the same against Justin Callahan, also from the USA. Callahan and his crew showed their enthusiasm and competitive spirit by buzzing the media boat following his defeat, and he was excited to continue his rivalry with Morgan Pinckney in the battle for third place. It is worth noting that this was Justin Callahan’s first Governor’s Cup, and he was the only competitor to beat Jeffrey Petersen in this year’s edition.
Balboa Yacht Club Vice Commodore Randy Taylor with Jeffrey Petersen (USA) and his crew, Max Brennan (USA) and Enzo Menditto (USA), with Rear Commodore Brett Hemphill Photo: Tom Walker
In the fight for the championship, Jeffrey Petersen outperformed Cole Tapper in the best-of-three series, winning the first two races. However, the final race proved challenging for both competitors as the breeze dropped to a mere four knots. Tapper started slightly ahead in the first upwind leg, but Petersen was able to create a commanding lead as the leg progressed.
Unfortunately, Petersen hit the weather mark at the end of the first beat, making an unforced error and gaining a penalty. As the downwind leg saw the breeze begin to fill, Petersen was able to clear his penalty on the next upwind. Tapper closed the distance and forced Petersen to sail past the weather mark, ultimately leading him to sail downwind on the port side of the weather mark and not sail the full course. This mistake allowed Petersen to sail the downwind leg without pressure from the Australian team and secure his victory as the champion of the Governor’s Cup sailboat race.
The “Gov Cup '' is the oldest and most prestigious youth match racing event in the world, with alumni of the event believing it to be 'career-changing', going on to win events such as the Congressional Cup, the World Match Racing Tour and even the America's Cup.
The results are as follows:
1st - Jeffrey Petersen (USA)
2nd - Cole Tapper (AUS)
3rd - Morgan Pinckney (USA)
4th - Justin Callahan (USA)
5th - Alexander Colquitt(GBR)
6th - Nicolas Yudji Bernal (BRA)
7th - Marcello Torre (AUS)
8th - Max Paul (AUS)
9th - Josh Hyde(NZL)
10th - Alec Coleman (CAN)
11th - Timothee Rossi (FRA)
12th - Tom Higgins (IRL)
