RNZYS Girls Team pre-start action Photo: Event Media

More pre-start action Photo: Event Media

Team Osborne at the Mayors Cup, Long Beach California Photo: Event Media

RNZYS Girls Team 3rd at Mayors Cup, Grade 2, California

LONG BEACH, Calif.--- Liz Baylis, San Rafael, Calif., became the first undefeated and first two-time winner Saturday in the 2008 Mayor’s Cup presented by St. Mary Medical Center and part of the 2008 City of Long Beach Sea Festival presented by Charter Communications.

Eight skippers representing the United States, New Zealand, Brasil and Sweden sailed the ISAF Grade 2 match race in identically prepared Catalina 37s owned and managed by the Long Beach Yacht Club Sailing Foundation, which performed perfectly under sunny skies and a consistent breeze of 10-12 knots.

Third was Samantha Osborne, New Zealand, who’s team from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is anything but ordinary.

Not only did they put in a very impressive performance having had limited match racing experience and no experience in the big Catalina 37s, but their ability to make light of challenging situations was a breath of fresh air.

Giving credit to her crew, Osborne said, “On the day, everyone gave 210%. I don’t think anyone could have worked any harder. I could rave about my crew for hours, but I want to also give a huge thanks to [coach] Scotty Dickson. I don’t think we could have done it without him.”

Dickson, Congressional Cup veteran and fellow Kiwi has known the Osborne family for years. Dickson’s dad, Roy, sails with Osborne and her team in the Tuesday night summer races onboard his boat Stewart34 “Playbuoy”.

FINAL STANDINGS
1. Baylis, 14-0
2. Hayes, 9-5
3. Osborne, 9-5
4. Arms-Cartee, 8-6
5. Thorelius, 5-9
7. Hjorth, 5-9, (4 points*)
6. Lovell, 4-10
8. Bejar, 2-12
*---Deduction for causing excess damage.