PORT OF LOS ANGELES HARBOR CUP 2009 SET FOR MARCH 13-15

Invitational Sailing Regatta Features College Students from Around the Nation

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — March 2, 2009 — The second annual running of the Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Regatta with take place in the Pacific Ocean from March 13-15.  The sailing race, hosted by the Los Angeles Yacht Club, brings together top collegiate sailors from schools coast to coast and is the only collegiate race that combines large sailing boats and ocean sailing.

The Port of Los Angeles Harbor Cup Regatta is quickly becoming one of the highlight events of the Port,” said Geraldine Knatz, Port of Los Angeles Executive Director.   “Witnessing the camaraderie and hard work of so many college students at one of our oldest maritime traditions – competitive sailing – is truly heartwarming.  I look forward to the 2009 competition and meeting the men and women who will lead us into the next generation.”

The race course will be about one mile southwest of the Angels Gate Lighthouse, about a half-mile offshore and takes place between the Angels Gate Lighthouse and the Pt. Fermin buoys, a distance of 1.7 miles each way.  Crews of seven racers will sail a total of eight Catalina 37 keelboats chartered from the Long Beach Sailing Foundation, vying for the coveted three-foot tall Harbor Cup trophy.

Competitive sailing is an ancient art form encouraging Corinthian values that promote the highest level of sportsmanship, fairness, courtesy and grace in victory or defeat.  Environmental stewardship and a simple love of the ocean are also a benefit of those who race.

The race will be visible from the Pt. Fermin bluffs.

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as “America’s Port,” has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves.  A recipient of numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award, the Port of Los Angeles is committed to innovating cleaner, greener ways of doing business.  As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues.  A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port.  A brighter future.