Chaos takes over

NEWPORT BEACH — The waves were smooth and the wind was brisk for the 43rd annual Governor’s Cup International Junior Match Racing Championship Friday, but unlike the run-of-the-mill weather conditions, it was arguably the most chaotic day of the tournament.

The third day of the Gov Cup provided many firsts, ranging from the undefeated Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron suffering its first loss, the Gov Cup’s first ruling protest and a social bonfire for the competitors.

“There wasn’t anything much to it,” Royal New Zealand bowman Shaun Mason said of the team’s first Gov Cup loss to Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, who won all seven of its races Friday and has 14 points.

Even though Mason said the two teams had a pretty even start, Cruising Yacht Club at one point had a 15-boat length lead on Royal New Zealand as both squads approached the weather mark.

“It’s quite different from what we’ve sailed,” Mason said. “We’re used to sailing in quite high winds. It doesn’t get anything over 20 knots here.”

Royal New Zealand is still on top, leading with 16 points and still one of the favorites to make it to Sunday’s finals.

“We can’t give too much away yet until the regatta’s over, but we try to keep the boat fast all the time and sail smart you know,” said Mason when asked about the secret to the team’s success.

The first protest of the Gov Cup also involved Royal New Zealand and the Southern Yacht Club, who lost all six of the second round robin races.

Protest details will be available today on www.balboayachtclub.com.

Newport Harbor Yacht Club, the two-time defending champ now in third place with 12 points, continued its strong performance Friday by winning five out of seven races.

“We beat the teams we should beat and we were close in the two races against [Cruising Yacht Club] and [Royal New Zealand],” NHYC skipper Andrew Mason said. “We definitely showed signs of improvement against them, which is a positive sign for us.”

Royal Yachting Assn., King Harbor Yacht Club and Mission Bay Yacht Club all have nine points.

The host Balboa Yacht Club, with seven total points, continued to struggle and has collected only three points in the last 12 races.

But the Gov Cup isn’t limited to competitions only. All the players get together for a dinner, Friday’s being a pasta bar, and a bonfire afterward.

“The players are real fun to hang out with,” Andrew Mason said. “The racing committee and the organizers have done a fantastic job. The Balboa Yacht Club always does a great job hosting it and the members really come out and support [the Gov Cup].”

Shaun Mason, skipper William Tiller and middleman Harry Thurston are staying with Andy Rose, a BYC host, said Shaun Mason, who is grateful for Rose and his ability to make the team comfortable.

“[Rose] has a really nice house, and he’s an organizer of the regatta so he’s treating us real well and knows what’s going on,” Shaun Mason said.

All in all, all teams and players are having a fun time in and out of the Gov Cup.

“It’s fun being able to be very competitive on the water, but then out of the water be friendly with everyone,” Andrew Mason said.