2022 San Diego Beneteau Cup an Epic Weekend!
300+ sailors and 39 Beneteau yachts descended upon San Diego Yacht Club from all over the Southwest U.S., Sept. 16th-18th for what has become one of the most popular and enjoyable regattas in Southern California, the San Diego Beneteau Cup!
With an instructional, encouraging, and fun format, especially tailored towards new and novice racers, Regatta Co-Chairs Barrett and Lily Canfield of South Coast Yachts are proud of how the regatta has grown over the years, and of how many of the sailors introduced to racing at Beneteau Cup have gone on to compete in, and place well in other Southern California and regional regattas such as the Beer Can Series, Hot Rums, CRA Sponsored races, and long distance races, like Newport- Ensenada.
Unique to this regatta on Friday evening, the Team from sponsor Quantum Sails San Diego gave a well-attended seminar on rules of the road, and racing basics including starting, mark rounding, and understanding weather, while stressing safety and fun. The SDYC Junior Clubhouse Jessop Room was packed for this seminar and great food and drinks were served by SDYC Catering. This seminar gave the new sailors professional instruction on what to inspect over the next two days on the race course and eased any “first time racing” worries.
Saturday’s ocean racing in Coronado Roads was picture-perfect San Diego racing in 10-12 knots of Pacific breeze and a light swell. Cruising Classes 1 and 2, with 11 and 10 boats respectively, ran two triangle courses that were long enough to really let these big Beneteau Oceanis cruisers stretch their legs with their A-sails pulling hard off the wind. Meanwhile the Beneteau First 36.7’s, for whom this was their West Coast Championship, and the First 40.7s and other large First Series yachts enjoyed some close racing with three windward-leeward courses to really engage their strategic and tactical skills.
Saturday evening, the crews enjoyed the big party on the SDYC Sail Lawn, SDYC’s excellent hot food buffet and bar service, and partied and danced well into the evening to the sounds of musician Matt Heinecke. Renowned sailing photographer Eddie Frank’s slideshow (and top-notch Drone Piloting) of the day’s racing drew a nice crowd on its own, and provided racers some great fun to watch as they enjoyed their cocktails and dinner. Ten larger Oceanis Cruising boats stayed overnight lined up “Stern-to” courtesy of SDYC’s Guest Dock. Thanks to the coordination from Steph and David in the SDYC marina office, SDYC accommodated 22 guest Beneteau yachts in slips at the club!
Sunday, SDYC Race Committee did an amazing job setting a pretty tight Windward – Leeward course for two races for the 36.7’s (to finish their Championship), while sending the other three classes on various round-the-bay, random-leg courses. The sun was out, the breeze was warm, and the racing was lively. It was quite a sight to see 30+ Beneteau cruisers headed down the bay flying their beautiful Spinnakers. Everyone wrapped up around 3:00 pm, which was perfect timing to head back to the 4:30 awards ceremony.
Trophies, courtesy of Quantum Sails San Diego, were awarded to the top three finishers in each of the four classes, along with Beneteau Cup hats, MT. Gay Beneteau Cup hats, and other gifts from local sponsors. Event organizers Barrett and Lily Canfield congratulated the racers and led them onstage for the trophy photos.
Cruise Class 1 (Oceanis Yachts to 43’) was dominated by winner Federico Pavoncelli (DPYC) and crew on his Oceanis 41, “Marilu”, while George Todd’s brand new Oceanis 46.1 Firstline “Big Louise” was the winner of the 11-boat Cruise Class 2 (Oceanis 44’ and larger). The Beneteau First 40 “Precepts II” owned by Drew Belk (SDYC) had a fantastic performance again this year, winning the First Series Class and overall Beneteau Cup First Series Perpetual Trophy. Warren Gross’s First 40.7 “Silhouette” (SDYC) won the 4-race 40.7 One Design class, and the Overall Class Championship for the First 36.7 was awarded to Peter Cochran (SLBYC) aboard “Rode Rage”. Every year, the best finishing Cruising boat and best finishing First Series Overall receive awards on Beneteau Cup perpetual trophies, and this year Marilu and Precepts II were the Overall Winners.
The Canfields and South Coast Yachts would like to thank SDYC for the incredible hospitality and wonderful catering, and SDYC’s Race Committee for their world class work and support over the weekend. They also thank sponsors Beneteau America, Quantum Sails, The Dinghy Doctor, Novamar Insurance, Mt. Gay Rum, Safe Harbor Shelter Island Boat Yard, San Diego Marine Exchange, Photographer Eddie Frank, SDYC’s Marina office and Racing office crew for contributing to this fun and memorable regatta.
Beneteau Cup 2023 is set for Sept. 15th– 17th next year. Mark your calendars, and don’t miss the fun racing with the Beneteau Family!
