Finns are flourishing

Natalie Venegas

NEWPORT BEACH -- In the second racing day of the 39th Governor’s Cup,

it was Nylandska Jaktklubben from Helsinki, Finland that finished the

day in the lead, with host Balboa Yacht Club capturing wins in four

of its five races Thursday.

Balboa defeated Newport Harbor Yacht Club, Royal New Zealand Yacht

Squadron, San Francisco Yacht Club, and fell to Nylandska

Jaktklubben, which is already guaranteed a spot in the top four,

after finishing the day with eight points.

Southern Yacht Club of New Orleans trails with seven while South

of Perth captured six wins.

Balboa, King Harbor, Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron and defending

champion Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club are tied with five wins each.

Balboa’s only loss of the day was by a half-boat length to

Nylandska, which was victorious in four other races over King Harbor

Yacht Club, Seattle Yacht Club, South of Perth Yacht Club and

Southern Yacht Club.

Balboa, which, going into the second day, set a goal of winning

every race, started the day with a strong win over Royal New Zealand

Yacht Squadron.

“It was a good day,” said Coach Mike Pinckney, who is also the UCI

sailing coach. “We set a goal of going undefeated, but coming out of

the day with one loss is realistic.”

Balboa helmsman Casey Schilling said he was satisfied with his

team’s performance, and he’s not worried about the days to come.

“[Wednesday] was just frustrating,” Schilling said. “But we tried

to put that behind us. Today was a lot more fun. We were really fast

today, and I think that will continue tomorrow.”

Balboa’s only loss was to the leading team, giving Schilling and

teammates Christian Emsieck and Wade Buxton needed confidence.

“Even though it’s a loss, it’s a positive loss,” Pinckney said.

“We pushed that team hard.”<252>Steve Wrigley, who was an

umpire for the races, also expressed his satisfaction with the day,

which had wind speed reaching 7 knots.

“It was a good racing day,” he said. “Everybody warmed up

yesterday, and now the intensity picks up and it gets a little more

serious.”

“To be quite honest, the heat is on,” chief umpire J.C. Moore

said.

A main source of that heat is Nylandska and helmsman Silja

Lehtinen, the only female in the battle.

The team, which consists of Silja, her brother Lauri and Sean

Doyle, has only competed together for two days.

Despite the lack of preparation, the team has held strong.

Friday, the teams will compete in two races to finish the round

robin. The top four move on to the finals, while the remaining eight

will compete in the consolation finals.