Results & History

GULF YACHTING ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP HISTORY

In 1978 Gulf Yachting Association PHRF Chairman John Oerting (PYC) recognized that the GYA had many “larger boat” sailors but no GYA championship series. John felt strongly that a championship series should be developed, similar to the GYA Lipton’s Cup held in Flying Scots.

John Oerting approached then GYA Commodore, Lewis “Buddy” Pollak, with his idea for a championship series for offshore type boats. Commodore Pollak was receptive to the idea and paved the way for John to make a presentation to the GYA Board of Directors. The GYA Board of Directors approved John’s recommendation for the establishment of the GYA Offshore Challenge Cup.

In 1979 Father Paul Tipton, President of Spring Hill College and Chairman of the GYA Offshore Council, deeded to the Gulf Yachting Association the perpetual trophy for the overall winning club. The deed of gift was given to then GYA Commodore Michael S. Johnson. The trophy is officially named “The Spring Hill College Gulf Yachting Offshore Challenge Cup. The name of the winning club will be appropriately engraved on this trophy each year and is entrusted to the winning club for one year. A replica keeper trophy will be permanently awarded to the winning club.

Pensacola Yacht Club hosted the first GYA Offshore Challenge Cup in 1979. Participating clubs entered three boats in different classes. Class A was scored under the IOR rating system. Class B was scored under the MORC rating system and Class C was scored under the GYA PHRF rating system. The club with the lowest score won the Spring Hill trophy. The format called for the winning club to host the regatta the following year, similar to the GYA Lipton Cup format.

Mobile Yacht Club won the first Offshore Challenge Cup. IOR – Mike LaSarge, Creekmore 22 “Dividend”, MORC – Don Brennan, Creekmore 22 “Blew Bayou”, and PHRF – Paul Tipton, C&C 33 “Stella Maris”

In 1980 the second Offshore Challenge Cup was hosted by Mobile Yacht Club and was won by New Orleans Yacht Club.

A decision was made to move the location of the Challenge Cup to Gulfport Yacht Club and have the regatta one (1) week before the Gulfport to Pensacola Race. This was done to maximize the participation in both regattas as many of the boats sailing in the Challenge Cup would also sail in the Gulfport to Pensacola Race.

IOR and MORC rating systems now had minimal participation from the Gulf Coast. In 1982 the format was changed to score all classes under the GYA PHRF System. In 1985 a fourth class was added and each club could participate in each of the four classes but only their best three (3) scores for each race would be counted for the team total.

In 1991 David and Pat Bolyard (Pontchartrain Yacht Club) deeded a perpetual trophy for the winner of “A” Class in the Challenge Cup, in memory of G. S. “Buddy” Friedrichs, a true offshore “Blue Water” sailor of great renown throughout the GYA. Only the name of the winning boat and yacht club the boat represented were to be engraved on the trophy. The first winner of the G. S. “Buddy Friedrichs Memorial Trophy in 1991 was the yacht “Heartbeat” from Southern Yacht Club.

Mobile Yacht Club Commodore Robert T. Kurzweg in 1993 deeded the Mobile Yacht Club Trophy to the Gulf Yachting Association. This trophy is presented to the best three boat team participating in the GYA Challenge Cup. The first winner of the Mobile Yacht

Club Trophy was Mobile Yacht Club: Trip Tease – Bobby Kurzweg, Jazz – John Marshall, and Grand Illusion – Greg Smith, Jr.

Jackson Yacht Club won the Mobile Yacht Club trophy in 1997. The original trophy was lost in the fire that destroyed the yacht club. Jackson Yacht Club replaced the trophy in 1998.

The Spring Hill College trophy was damaged during hurricane Katrina but was completely restored in 2006 by Southern Yacht Club, through the efforts of Johnny Curren.

The format of the GYA Offshore Challenge Cup is unique in the world and has been conducted every year since 1979. 2008 will be the 30th Annual event and the series is returning to Gulfport Yacht Club in celebration of their recovery from hurricane Katrina. Pensacola Yacht Club, the original host, graciously hosted the event in 2006 and 2007 while Gulfport Yacht Club was being restored.

One man’s idea and perseverance in 1978 was the beginning of one of the most successful interclub championship series for “larger boats” the world has known. The Gulf Yachting Association is proud to be the continuing sponsor of this renowned event.

By: Tom Beery