Last October, Joel Hurley and Tony Chapman won the Buccaneer National Championship hosted by the Arizona Yacht Club and held at Lake Pleasant. Winning a national championship qualified them to apply for US Sailing’s Championship of Champions to be held this weekend, October 9-11, 2020 at Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar, CA.
The application/invitation process includes being selected by the C of C committee after a review of all applicants. Only 19 applicants make it through to the invitation and the 20th competitor is a Mystery Guest.
This year’s Mystery Guests are Sally Lindsay Honey and Stan Honey – Rolex Yachtswoman and Yachtsman of the Year recipients.
Photo above: Tony Chapman and skipper Joel Hurley
holding the winner’s trophy and plaque.
2019 Buccaneer North American Championship.
2020 Results Page
Championship of Champions
October 9-11, 2020 in Corona del Mar, CA
Class Boat: Harbor 20’s
October 8, Practice Sailing 2020 Championship of Champions Regatta, October 8, 2020 in Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, California.\rPhoto by Tom Walker 
October 8, Practice Sailing 2020 Championship of Champions Regatta, October 8, 2020 in Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, California.\rPhoto by Tom Walker 
October 8, Practice Sailing 2020 Championship of Champions Regatta, October 8, 2020 in Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, California.\rPhoto by Tom Walker 
2020 Championship of Champions Regatta, Balboa Yacht Club, US Sailing, Corona del Mar, Ca 
October 8, Practice Sailing 2020 Championship of Champions Regatta, October 8, 2020 in Newport Harbor, Newport Beach, California.\rPhoto by Tom Walker
Daily Update
Thursday, October 8
Tony writes, “We got three practice races in today in a breeze that ranged from four to maybe 8 knots, which is pretty light conditions. Hopefully, we will have a little more breeze for the next three days of racing.
“The Harbor 20 makes the C22 seem fast although I have to say it’s very comfortable with cushions for the skipper and crew. Maybe we should have a gin and tonic while we’re racing!
“There is clearly a lot of good competition out here so it will be interesting. We hope to have 19 races in over the next three days and we switch boats every fourth race…We have some ideas to improve our boat speed for tomorrow. We will let you know how it works out.”
Friday, October 9
Tony writes, “Well today was very interesting. We start with an OCS and finished next to last and then we are third in the second race. We continue to be in the hunt whenever we were not OCS – or going back to the start line when we were not OCS but forgot we switched boats and have a different bow number. However, at the end of the day when you are ahead of the 2019 Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, I guess we can feel good! We think we can move up if we can be more consistent over the remaining races. Sailing in Newport Harbor is a challenge when the windward Mark is in the middle of a mooring field. And the mega yachts allow for some interesting pick and roll/screen tactics. The weekend might get even more challenging with more leisure boats expected in the racecourse. Stay tuned for more.
Saturday, October 10
Tony writes, “We got in 7 races today in very challenging conditions created by the shifty winds and the number of pleasure boats on the racecourse. It looks like we have solidly locked into 13th position overall, but we had what I am sure will be a race to remember by winning race 4 today. It is so much easier when you get a good start and sail in clean air for most of the race. The forecast for tomorrow is on the light side, but the goal is to have another 4 races to get to a total of 19 races. This is a great event with great people, and it feels like the most “normal” thing we have done in a while when out on the water.