Newport Harbor tops Balboa for third

The Newport Harbor and Baboa yacht clubs were relegated to a clash

for third place after falling in the semifinals of the Pacific Life

Yacht Club Challenge Sunday off Newport Pier.

San Diego Yacht Club the top qualifier among the four

semifinalists, defeated Balboa, 2-1, in the best-of-three match-race

format. Each match consisted of an approximately quarter-mile race

out and back to a buoy, or windward mark. Each race, pitting

combatants in a match-race format, lasted between 20 and 25 minutes

In the other semifinal, St. Francis Yacht Club defeated Newport

Harbor, 2-0, to advance to the final.

However, St. Francis, the defending champion of the event that

became an annual affair beginning last year (it was previously held

every two years), fell to San Diego, 2-1, in the finals.

San Diego, skippered by Brad Rodi, captured the perpetual Baldwin

M. Baldwin Cup that goes to the victorious skipper and his crew.

St. Francis was skippered by Chris Perkins, while Jon Pinckney led

the Newport Harbor crew of seven.

Carson Reynolds was the skipper for the Balboa Yacht Club’s entry.

All boats featured identical designs, placing an emphasis on

sailing skill as the deciding factor.

Race Director Jenn Lancaster said the winds were steady Sunday, in

the 12-to-15-knot range, providing excellent racing conditions.