Maine Maritime captures POLA Harbor Cup title

Pola Harbor Cup © Betsy Crowfoot

Not since the introduction of the POLA Harbor Cup has Maine Maritime claimed victory. Champions of the 2008 and 2009 regatta, the Mariners have returned to the winner's circle, capturing the 2024 POLA Harbor Cup title at this prestigious intercollegiate invitational event at Los Angeles Yacht Club.

The POLA Harbor Cup was founded in 2008 to provide young men and women the opportunity to enjoy competitive offshore sailing, with a focus on Corinthian values, sportsmanship and ocean stewardship. It is hosted annually by the Port of Los Angeles, California State University Maritime Academy and LAYC, who provide expert race management and comprehensive hospitality.

The POLA Harbor Cup had commenced Friday March 8 with steady breezes and moderate chop ideal for sailing the Catalina 37 fleet. Racing takes place off Pt. Fermin, giving the co-eds rousing offshore sailing conditions. The College of Charleston team had a grasp on first place at the end of the day, with Navy and USC tight astern.

Idyllic conditions continued Saturday with a grueling five races in the building breeze, as Maine Maritime edged out the Cougars, joining the Midshipmen and Trojans at the top of the leaderboard.

Racing on the final day of the three-day regatta commenced in a lighter breeze than the prior, giving the ten teams a new challenge in the 37-foot Catalina keelboats. In the penultimate race, USC's consistent performance saw them clinging to the top of the leaderboard by the slimmest margin, followed by Navy and Maine Maritime.

"Our first day was really just kind of jitters for us," Maine Maritime tactician Nalu Ho admitted. "It's been a while since we've been sailing and we just had some silly, goofy mistakes. But credit to our amazing team, they held strong, believed in each other, and loved each other through all that, and just kept positive."

Everything fell into place the second day, he explained, and by Day Three and the final three-lap race, it was a battle for the gold.

Pola Harbor Cup - photo © Betsy Crowfoot

Maine Maritime Skipper Zach York continued, "Starting the last race we had USC right above us, and wanted to pinch them off at the start: but weren't really able to. But going up that first beat we were able to slam dunk them in between two other boats and that really messed them up on that first windward leg."

"The tactician and team got us in the right position, at the right time, and we were able to extend above the lay line, tack and crush the fleet. Our spinnaker trimmer did a great job telling me what he was feeling; we were all communicating really well. That was one really good takeaway from the regatta: communication. That really helped us get from sixth to first," added York.

Patrick DiLalla, who has served as the Maine Maritime coach for just over a year, looked proud as he commended his team, "The first day they did well enough to stay in the hunt, just feeling out the course; but by the second day they'd figured it out. The goal was to be 'in it to win it' on the final day and it came to a showdown between the three top teams today. I told them to just go for it, and they brought it home."

Last evening, Saturday March 9, the crews were treated to a stirring presentation by sailing icon Roy P. Disney, "owner/grinder of Pyewacket," as he described himself.

"I'm really honored to be here speaking to this group," Disney said. "I've been where they are. I've seen the path that they may well be on. And I want to encourage that. Sailing is experiential, and the trap you run into is you can't get the experience without the job and you can't get the job without the experience."

So the advice he always gives, he says, is, "Volunteer to do the worst job on the boat. First of all: you'll get the job. Secondly, you can see the world play out in front of you. And you can then make judgments about what works and what doesn't, where you fit in, and where your skill sets are. And they'll probably invite you back!"

"I started out as a pit guy, and then a grinder. A lot of people don't see that: they don't see the work that it took me to go from here to there." He applauded LAYC and the POLA Harbor Cup for the opportunities it gives college sailors, noting, "You've got to start somewhere and this is a great place to start. Don't play it down if you don't do well. Take it. Learn from it. Grow from it."

This evening's prize-giving was a more raucous affair, with 100 tired but elated sailors and coaches enjoying food, chatter and hospitality at LAYC.

"I'm really pleased with this year's Harbor Cup; we've had some extremely good racing!" exclaimed PRO and Race Chair Tom Trujillo. "And the energy the college kids bring to LAYC is phenomenal. It's a whole different atmosphere in the morning at breakfast, during the dinners and programs. We love hosting this event and are proud of how the kids rise to the occasion. We can't wait 'til they come back."

For more information on the POLA Harbor Cup go to www.layc.org/LAYC-harbor-cup.

Overall Results:

Final results available here.