Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup – Cal Maritime Invitational slated for March 10-12, 2023

by Betsy Crowfoot 28 Jan 2023 10:48 NZDT 10-12 March 2023

Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup © Laurie Morrison Photography

The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup - one of the preeminent intercollegiate sailing events in the nation - will return to Los Angeles waters March 10, 11 and 12, 2023. Ten teams from across North America will compete in this prestigious one-design keelboat regatta hosted by Los Angles Yacht Club (LAYC), the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), and California State University Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime).

The regatta begins Friday morning March 10 with registration, skippers' briefing and practice, with the first race scheduled to start at 1:30pm. The co-ed teams will enjoy a series of 10 thrilling races over three days in the challenging seas off Pt. Fermin. Sailing in the Long Beach Sailing Foundation fleet of 37-foot Catalina sailboats, these identically matched and maintained vessels will guarantee the onus is on each crew's skills and strategies to win the title.

The POLA Harbor Cup is recognized as one of the most prestigious big boat intercollegiate regattas since its inception in 2008. Leading academies and colleges vie annually for an invitation to battle it out for the highly coveted perpetual trophy and bragging rights. The lineup for this invitational traditionally includes four east coast teams and four west coast teams selected by the organizing committee from a multitude of applicants. Two 'President's picks' round out the roster, this year including a team from Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, Canada: the event's first Canadian entry.

Cal Maritime to Defend Title

Other contenders are: defending champion Cal Maritime, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, College of Charleston, Maine Maritime Academy, University of Hawaii, University of Maryland. University of Rhode Island, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Naval Academy.

Eight-time victor and defender Cal Maritime recently triumphed at the Kennedy Cup regatta, but the Keelhaulers are not without challengers. Returning to the POLA Harbor Cup are two-time winners College of Charleston and Maine Maritime; plus the US Navy Midshipmen: past champion and perpetual podium finishers. The rivalries are strong and intense and the event promises tight action on the racecourse - with barrels of fun ashore.

Sally Lindsey Honey to Speak

All accommodations and meals are hosted by LAYC, including a Saturday March 11 evening dinner and program when the fleet will enjoy Keynote Speaker Sally Lindsey Honey. A lifelong sailor and two-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, Ms. Honey is also a North American and World Championship title holder. In addition to her International 505 awards, Ms. Honey is an accomplished offshore racer with many trophies to her name: including first overall in the Pacific Cup 1996, which she double-handed with husband Stan Honey, and first in class in the 2003 Transpac.

The POLA Harbor Cup provides a unique opportunity for young men and women to expand their horizons with big boat, offshore racing against a competent field of vetted rivals. For a full schedule of events please visit: www.layc.org/harbor-cup or race headquarters LAYC at 285 Whaler's Walk, San Pedro, Calif.