42ND ANNUAL GOVERNOR’S CUP:

NEWPORT BEACH — The first day of the 42nd annual Governor’s Cup brought match sailing teams from all over the world and yet not one could beat defending champion Newport Harbor Yacht Club.

In the opening round-robin races, Michael Menninger (skipper), Cole Hatton (middle) and Chris Barnard (bow) came out 5-0 and established themselves as the top team in the regatta.

The only challenge for NHYC throughout the first day of action came from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, who went 4-1 Thursday. At 1 minute, 25 seconds into the race against the Aussies, NHYC jibed over on its approach, but CYCA got inside and had slight control at the start. However, NHYC was able to hold on to the Aussies for long enough to make it to the layline. The experience of the team then came in into play as the trio was able to tack in front as they rounded leeward. NHYC was then able to lull the Australians and maintain boat speed all the way to the finish.

“That one was pretty exciting,” Menninger said. “It was neck and neck and it came down to the leeward mark. It was a close mark rounding, but we lulled them upwind to get ahead. They closed the gap every time downwind but we kept lengthening [it] upwind.”

Round-robin racing continues today out in front of the Newport Beach Pier at noon and NHYC is confident it can put together another solid performance against the stacked competition that includes 11 teams.

“I think [today’s] competition should be about the same,” Hatton said. “I think we can go out and do the same thing [and] hopefully after the round robin we will be seeded first and get a break from some racing before the semifinals.”

With a start like Thursday’s, the Governor’s Cup might crown a repeat champion, but it will not come easy. St. Thomas Yacht Club of the U.S. Virgin Islands is also 4-1. STYC skipper Taylor Canfield recently won the 420 North American Championships and looks like a big challenge for NHYC.

The other local team, Balboa Yacht Club, unfortunately could not put a win together.

“The competitions were really good today and we didn’t do too well but we were building throughout the day and hopefully we can carry that throughout the regatta and come back and win,” BYC skipper Gunnar Torre said. “We figured out how to tack the boat and get acceleration through the tacks. We worked really well around the corners and with the changes we made today I think we can get back in it.”

The round robin series of racing will not be finished until 66 races have been completed. Three days are allotted to complete the races, with a repechage for places three through six, and a consolation round for places seven through 12. After the repechage, the four top teams will be selected on Saturday afternoon. Those four top teams will then race on Sunday to decide who will be this year’s Governor’s Cup champion.

NHYC will try to join seven other two-time champions in the Cup’s history.

MARK RATTO may be reached at (714) 966-4616.