GovCup: Championship kicks-off today; live webcasts all week, starting with tonight's traditiona

NEWPORT BEACH, CA (#1067) – The 52nd Annual Governor's Cup, Balboa Yacht Club's prestigious international youth match racing championship presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank, kicks off today with practice sailing for the twelve teams from five countries (AUS, DEN, GBR, NZL and USA). Tonight is the traditional opening dinner and Introduction of Teams emceed by GovCup guru Andy Rose. The field for this year's GovCup is widely regarded as the toughest in the event's history, so the friendly banter – more of a roast actually – between Mr Rose and the teams as they are introduced should be more fun than ever.

Tonight's (Monday evening) Introduction of Teams will be webcast live at 2000 PDT. That's 2300 EDT, 0500+1 CET, 1500+1 NZT, 1300+1 AEST (Sydney).

All GovCup webcasts will be carried live on the GovCup Facebook page – www.facebook.com/bycgovcup. and, if possible, simulcast on the BYC Facebook page. There is no charge, and no Facebook or other membership/account is required. Just go to the GovCup Facebook page like any other website. A replay of the live events will be available on Facebook immediately after each show concludes. Here is a schedule of the week's Gov Cup webcasts (all times PDT):

Monday, 16 July – Introduction of Teams, 2000-2130.

Tuesday, 17 July – Tuesdays with TFE, Sailing Illustrated's weekly yacht racing news & views webcast, live from Balboa Yacht Club at 1300. This show, focusing on the GovCup, will be carried as usual on the SI Facebook page, www.facebook.com/sailingillustratedblog.

Wednesday, 18 July – Daily Pre-Race Show, 0930-1000.

Thursday, 19 July – Daily Pre-Race Show, 0930-1000.

Friday, 20 July – Daily Pre-Race Show, 0930-1000.

Friday, 20 July – Live Racing, 1130-1700 (approx).

Friday, 20 July – Semifinalists Press Conference, 1845-1915.

Saturday, 21 July – Daily Pre-Race Show, 0930-1000.

Saturday, 21 July – Live Racing, 1130-1430 (approx).

Saturday, 21 July – Final Press Conference & Awards, TBA (approx 1600).

A brief video intro, produced by Gary Jobson, to whet your appetite for what should be a great week of racing, and fun, at the 52nd Annual Governor's Cup presented by Farmers & Merchants Bank and hosted in grand style by Balboa Yacht Club in Newport Beach, CA.