40 Boats and One Winner: Mike Hester Takes the Governor’s Cup

Feature Photo: Heidi Zornik

By Sharon Bell, Cruising Captain

Congratulations to Mike Hester for narrowly defeating the defending champion, Court Roberts, in the Governor’s Cup! Mike now has the honor of protecting and polishing the HUGE trophy for the next year! The winners in each of the sub-categories in this real nail biter are:

PHRF Spin: Mike Hester on his Viper “Nectar Sled”
PHRF Non-Spin: Paul Miachica on his Laser “Sid the Kid 2.0”
Multi-Hull: Chris Picknally on his G-Cat 5.7 Catamaran “Flying Fish”

Great job, Rob, for being our PRO for the race! He delayed the race by 20 minutes due to light winds, hoping to give everyone a great start sailing with full sails rather than drifting to the finish line. Of the 46 entries, 40 boats started the race, and 26 boats finished the race with special recognition going to our youngest skipper, 12-year-old Myles Danner. It appears that the boats that followed a groove of wind on the left side of the course tended to sail a little better. A job well done by all!

Mike sends thanks to his crew, Mike Blumberg
& Freddy Tuvene.

A special thanks to Rob Gibbs, Will Zornick, and all the others serving on Race Committee.

Time for a Bud Light!

Photo left: Heidi Zornik

Rob also took time to get some pictures to remember the race and also for those who could not make it on Saturday. Secretly, I think Rob was hoping to catch someone in an act for the Blunder Bucket nominations, but kidding aside, please take a moment to appreciate the boats, the crews, and the wonderful landscape we call Arizona.

As I sit here thinking about Thanksgiving next week and in lieu of making apologies (again) for having to cancel the social activities that are a hallmark of the Governor’s Cup weekend…let’s give thanks and appreciation for our Arizona Yacht Club. We have been challenged this year by significant viral restrictions and the AYC has demonstrated resilience by rising above the challenges to thrive on the winds of success. Instead of allowing the challenges to threaten our existence, fighting over the delays, or complaining about the changes made to our activities; we re-grouped and enthusiastically organized alternative methods to continue our racing and camaraderie as a club.

True sailors adjust and adapt to the weather conditions to ensure the safety of the boat and crew. As I watched the boats sailing on Lake Pleasant in the Governor’s Cup, I felt that each and every crew on the lake reflects what true sailing should be. Congratulations to all who came, raced, laughed, and shined with respect and responsibility to each other.

We have lost some of our members to illness this year and I am confident they are smiling down on us with pride for a job well done in 2020 and to Mike Hester in the Governor’s Cup. Let’s be proud of us too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Go to the Governor’s Cup Results page.

Will Zornik and his family were on the mark-set boat for the event and Will’s 10-year-old daughter, Heidi took many of the pictures for this post. Well done Heidi!