The winds picked up on Saturday at Balboa Yacht Club as the final day of racing in the Governor’s Cup saw the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club of Australia crowned champions for the second straight year.

The team, which was in fourth place going into the semifinals, defeated Nylandska Jaktklubben from Finland, which only lost one match in the round robin and three at the conclusion of the competition.

The CYCA’s team of Tom Barker, Will Ryan and Ted Hackney captured eighth ahead of the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron, King Harbor Yacht Club from Redondo Beach, San Francisco and Seattle Yacht Club which finished 12th.

Coach Jenni Bonnitcha reported fresh breezes on the final day required good boat handling from all crews.

“The winds on the final day were the strongest I’m aware of in the Governor’s Cup and crew weight was definitely an advantage,” she said.

The Dead of Gift for the Governor’s Cup was granted in 1967 by then California Governor and later President Ronald Reagan. World-class sailors Paul Cayard, John Kostecki and Gavin Brady, among many throughout the world, have emerged from this race to dominate the America’s Cup and many other international competitions.

The sailboats used were 21-foot sloops, designed by Alan Andrews, an internationally recognised yacht designer, and sails by Dave Ullman.