THE LOG | August 5 - August 18, 2022 | 21
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Sailing
Tom Walker Photography
Team Stevenson (NZL) crossing the finish line slightly in front of Team Petersen (USA) to win the 55th Governor’s Cup.
By: JORDAN B. DARLING NEWPORT BEACH— Five days of racing led to a first-time victory for Jordan Stevenson of New Zealand and teammates Mitch Jackson and George Angus against defending champs and newly crowned World Youth Match Racing Champs Jeffrey Petersen, Max Brennan, and Scott Mais. Stevenson is ranked number 12 on World Sailing’s Open rankings premiering in the GovCup in 2019. Stevenson faced off on the final day of racing against home team Petersen from Balboa Yacht Club. Petersen started off strong on day one and held on tight throughout the week and into the finals giving Stevenson strong competition at the end. Stevenson started with three wins on the first day and worked his way up to a tie for second place on day two, lined up with Jack Egan (USA), who went undefeated on day two, and Marius Westerlind (SWE). By day three, Petersen and Stevenson had secured their semifinal slots, with Stevenson just one point behind the USA team at 14 points. In the semifinal with Egan, Steven-
son took the lead and had a penalty to “kill,” which required him to either cause a penalty on Egan or complete an approximately 270-degree turn before the finish. Stevenson allowed himself to be “caught” and then used the racing rules to gain an inside position at the BYC Race Committee boat, and not only prevented Egan from finishing but also stopped his opponent’s boat. At that point, with greater initial speed, Stevenson could tack and then jibe, which would have killed the penalty. However, his loss of speed and need to make the maneuver as soon as possible caused his boom to hit the port side of the Race Committee boat, resulting in another penalty. At the same time, Egan still stopped at the Race Committee boat, slid sideways, and hit its starboard side. At that point, Stevenson completed his second penalty turn and was awarded the victory. Chief Umpire Flavio Naveira (ARG) said afterward that it was the “best I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve been an umpire!” Coming into the “first to three” point series in the finals against Petersen, StePlease see GOVERNOR'S CUP, PAGE 22
Longré Photos
New Zealand Team Takes 55th Governor’s Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship
Winners of the 55th Governor’s Cup Jordan Stevenson, Mitch Jackson, and George Angus (NZL) hoisting the Governor’s Cup trophy.
