GovCup: Toughest field in youth match racing history, including the Number 1-ranked match racer in t

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (#1065) – Balboa Yacht Club has confirmed the twelve entries for next week's 52nd Annual Governor's Cup, the prestigious and oldest-in-the world youth match racing championship. For several months organizers of the invitational event have been saying it was shaping up to be the most competitive ever. Today World Sailing published the latest rankings of match race skippers of any age, not just juniors, and Numero Uno is GovCup entrant and former winner Harry Price (AUS) representing the renowned Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.

Mr Price (right) won the 2015 GovCup, and the 2017 World Youth Match Racing World Championship. Coincidentally, last year's Worlds were hosted by BYC following the 51st edition of the GovCup, leaving little doubt that Harry is the pre-regatta favorite on the eve of this year's championship.

Jeffrey Petersen (USA, Balboa YC) was our guest on this week's "Tuesday's with TFE" live webcast. He will be crewing for Christophe Killian (USA, College of Charleston YC), last year's Gov Cup winner. Tuesday Jeffrey gave us a superb rundown on this year's event including each the competing teams. If you missed it, watch a replay here.

Last year Mr Killian, also a Balboa YC native, ended that club's decades-long winless streak. Clearly Christophe is another pre-regatta favorite.

(By the way, our Tuesday show featuring the GovCup and the 16 year-old Mr Petersen has been one of the most popular to date, with over 1500 views from across the world in less than 48 hours.)

Next week's "Tuesdays with TFE" will originate from BYC on our usual channel (www.facebook.com/sailingillustratedblog) and at the usual time – 1300 PDT / 1600 EDT / 2200 CET / 0800+1 NZT.

In addition, next week the GovCup media team led by Chris Bretschger, and including esteemed match race tactician and GovCup guru Andy Rose along with your Ed., will livestream GovCup events every day including Monday evening's always-entertaining Introduction of Teams emceed by Mr Rose, Pre-Race Shows Wednesday through Saturday mornings at 0930 hosted by your Ed., post-race press conferences late Friday and Saturday afternoons, and, of course, live coverage of the Semifinals on Friday and Finals on Saturday beginning at 1130 PDT. The GovCup webcasts will be livestreamed on the GovCup Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bycgovcup) and simulcast, if possible, on the BYC Facebook page. Check the GovCup Facebook page for times and other details.

This year BYC member Paul Blank will serve both as the on-the-water radio voice (VHF Channel 20A) and GovCup Press Officer. Media may contact Mr Blank at paul@govcupracing.com.

Experience in past years suggests that there will be a large worldwide online following of family, friends and fans of the teams, the GovCup, and match racing in general. Hope you can join us for what promises to be a superb week of yacht racing.