Calm on the water, edgy on the boats

Kris O’Donnell

For the second day, Mother Nature barely released enough wind to fill

the sails of this year’s participants in the 37th Governor’s Cup

Challenge taking place off Newport Beach.

“We had a slow start this morning because we had to finish

[Thursday’s] portion of the round-robin competition,” Sailing

Administrator Ben Benjamin said. “Consequently, the competitors are

staying out later today to try to complete today’s portion of it.

“If we don’t get some cooperation [from Mother Nature], we won’t

have time for the finals aspect of the race, and that means a winner

will be decided solely on round-robin standings,” he said.

The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., with

helmsman Peeter Must, Ryan Mulvania-Middle and Todd Kutkiewicz-Bow,

has the lead.

One of the team’s prime features must be former Balboa Yacht Club

junior sailor and Governor’s Cup competitor Ryan Mulvania. Many

concur that his local knowledge and ability in “light air,” coupled

with his skilled crew, have helped them to the early lead.

“Light-air experts excel in these conditions,” Benjamin said.

“They’ll probably stay out as long as possible today to try to finish

the round-robin.”

Kings Point moved into first place when Newport Harbor Yacht Club

lost in round-robin elimination.

Benjamin said that the one-on-one competition generally takes

between 30 and 40 minutes per race.

“It’s the down time that’s the most frustrating -- all they do is

roll up their sails, eat lunch and wait for their next turn,”

Benjamin said. “It’s like putting race horses into the gates and

making them wait -- frustrations build. All they want to do is their

job -- sailing.”

* KRIS O’DONNELL is a Daily Pilot intern. He can be reached at

kris.odonnell@latimes.com.