Mar 9, 2026 @ 16:40:44 EDT
Day 1 brief
Steady westerly breeze of eight to 11 knots graced Day One of the POLA Harbor Cup regatta, prompting the Race Committee to run four exciting races off Pt Fermin. Ten teams from across the US and Canada are competing in this prestigious three-day intercollegiate invitational hosted by Los Angeles Yacht Club, the Port of LA, and Cal Poly Maritime.
Initial wind forecasts had threatened the event however racing commenced on schedule at 1330. Competing aboard the one-design fleet of Catalina 37s the teams completed four twice-around windward leeward courses, with the College of Charleston Cougars taking an early lead in the 10-race series. On their tails: defending champion USC Trojans followed by 2023 victors Univ. of Hawaii Rainbows.
Competition promises to be tight with all 10 teams veteran Harbor Cup participants, eager to challenge for the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Perpetual Trophy. Racing continues Saturday and Sunday
Sunday Brief
The College of Charleston Cougars held rivals in the POLA Harbor Cup regatta at bay, clinching the title after three spirited days of racing. A last-ditch rally by Cal Maritime Sunday nearly toppled the Cougars, who won by a scant three points. The victory marked the Cougar’s third triumph in the regatta which annually hosts 10 intercollegiate teams for three days of competition and camaraderie. The Keelhaulers took second, overtaking the defending Trojans in the final day, and leapfrogging the Rainbows and Midshipmen. An added challenge was today’s weather as Races 8 through 10 saw much lighter breeze, which tested the teams who had become accustomed to the earlier gusty winds and choppy seas. Most teams shuffled around the leaderboard in the varied conditions, but an impressive showing by Unv. of Victoria was noted: the fleet’s newest competitor logged two bullets in the 10-race series. The three-day, intercollegiate offshore sailing event has been hosted by Los Angles Yacht Club (LAYC), the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), and California Poly Maritime Academy (Cal Maritime) since 2008 and is one of the preeminent offshore big boat regattas for young men and women in the nation.
| School | Team | A | TOT | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | College of Charleston | Cougars | 32 | 32 | ||
| 2 |  | California Poly Maritime Academy | Keelhaulers | 35 | 35 | ||
| 3 |  | University of Southern California | Trojans | 42 | 42 | ||
| * | 4 |  | University of Hawaii | Rainbows | 46 | 46 | |
| * | 5 |  | U. S. Naval Academy | Midshipmen | 46 | 46 | |
| 6 |  | University of Victoria | Vikes | 60 | 60 | ||
| 7 |  | Cal Poly University S.L.O. | Mustangs | 61 | 61 | ||
| 8 |  | Maine Maritime Academy | Mariners | 67 | 67 | ||
| 9 |  | U. S. Merchant Marine Academy | Mariners | 79 | 79 | ||
| 10 |  | U. S. Coast Guard Academy | Bears | 83 | 83 |
| Sym. | Explanation |
|---|---|
| * | Head-to-head tiebreaker |
The following chart shows the relative rank of the teams as of the race indicated. Note that the races are ordered by number, then division, which may not represent the order in which the races were actually sailed.
The first place team as of a given race will always be at the top of the chart. The spacing from one team to the next shows relative gains/losses made from one race to the next. You may hover over the data points to display the total score as of that race.
