Day Two of racing in the Los Angeles Yacht Club is complete with the Trojans of the University of Southern California first and the Rainbows of University of Hawaii close behind in second.

There were great sailing conditions. The day started with light wind that steadily grew and clocked to the west- in classic Hurricane Gluch style.

Each race was made up of two laps with race committee’s objective of each race lasting about one hour. The times shortened as the winds grew with the last race of the day finishing in just 44 minutes.

Family members of some of the crew members enjoyed viewing on board the spectator motor yacht Mauretania. In addition to viewing the races the Port of Los Angeles- marine traffic included the SpaceX booster bound for Vanderberg, the Discovery Princess on her way to Cabo San Lucas and various cargo vessels.

It seemed the teams were so excited that two of the five races run today saw competitors passing over the start line early. One race saw six of the ten teams over early.

When asked why a general recall was not made- Principal Race Officer (PRO) Tom Trujillo said doing that would be unfair to the four boats that started timely.

The final two races of the ten race series will be raced Sunday- with the warning signal for the first race at 11:30am (daylight saving time )

The POLA Harbor Cup regatta racing continues Sunday, as the co-ed teams enjoy a series of 10 races in the challenging waters off Pt. Fermin. Sailing in the Long Beach Sailing Foundation fleet of 37-foot Catalina sailboats, these identically matched and maintained vessels will guarantee the focus is on each crew’s skills and strategies to win the title.

Participating teams are selected from a large field of hopeful applicants. Since its founding in 2008 the POLA Harbor Cup has hosted 154 varsity sailing squads from 30 different universities and institutions: over 1,320 varsity athletes and coaches. “We truly enjoy the energy that 80-plus students bring to Los Angeles and to our yacht club each year,” added Trujillo. After arrival at LAYC the students and their coaches are fully hosted by LAYC members, with all housing and meals provided.

After racing, the teams enjoyed dinner at LAYC Saturday evening featuring Kimball Livingston- an international sailor, author, screenwriter and commentator who built a career of doing, then talking about the doing, in print and in person.

Livingston’s sailing career took off within days of finishing a master’s degree. He boarded an ocean racing sailboat to Mexico; it was a good ride, made a good story with nothing whatsoever to do with his former field of study, and... ..he never looked back.

Later in his life, Livingston recognized a one-time opportunity and fulfilled a mission to fit in the milestone editions of the Centennial Transpacific Yacht Race, Centennial Newport Bermuda Race and the 100th running of Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac — America’s three classic distance races.

As commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club in 2016, he recognized a need to drive change in the club’s junior program. Once he started this challenge, he never looked back and is now the club’s Staff Commodore Ambassador to Youth Sailing, Club Curator, and Historian (“I get ’em coming and going.”).

Livingston is staff commodore of the Pacific Coast Yachting Association, he serves on the Transpac board, the National Sailing Hall of Fame’s selection panel and, most recently, on the finalist panel for the US Rolex Yachtsman/Yachtswoman of the Year.

The college student competitors found his presentation informative and fascinating.

https://www.layc.org/LAYC-harbor-cup

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Scoring updates: Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup | Spring 2025 | ICSA Real-Time Regatta Results

MEDIA CONTACTS

Los Angeles Yacht Club Media: Jo Murray Jo@JoVenture.com 562-310-6829

Cal Maritime Media Coordinator: Eric Bankstonebankston@csum.edu 805-729-6850

Port of Los Angeles Media Relations Director: Phillip Sanfield 310 732-3568 psanfield@portla.org

THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES HARBOR CUP was founded in 2008, “to support and encourage young men and women to enjoy the benefits of competitive sailing,” according to the Deed of Gift. Hosted by Cal Maritime, the Port of Los Angeles and Los Angeles Yacht Club, it is unique in providing an opportunity to participate in one-design big boat offshore competition. Teams received a warm welcome, meals, accommodations, and activities: organizers cover charter fees so there is no cost to racers. Competitors also enjoy a spectacular racing venue off LA’s Point Fermin, and an illustrious racing platform: the Long Beach Sailing Foundation fleet of Catalina 37s.

These one-design keelboats, used in the legendary Congressional Cup match race, carry limited sail inventory – just mainsail, genoa and spinnaker – forcing the focus on teamwork and strategy, and a rare opportunity for big boat offshore racing.

LOS ANGELES YACHT CLUB was founded in 1901 and is one of the oldest and most respected institutions on the West Coast, hosting events such as the Harbor Cup, the George Griffith Series and Transpacific Yacht Race. It is located at 285 Whalers Walk in San Pedro, Calif.

THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES is the nation's number-one container port and a global model for sustainability, security, and social responsibility.

Photo credit: Bronny Daniels/ Joysailing.com

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