Idaho’s Cassingham wins Folsom’s 56th Camellia Cup

Wayne Cassingham had one, two-word question when he registered his 13-foot Banshee sailboat to compete in the 56th Camellia Cup Regatta held on Folsom Lake, Apr. 22-23. He asked, “Got Wind?”

Once on Folsom Lake, Cassingham of Star, Idaho got the answer he didn’t want to hear. With not a cloud in the sky and daytime temperatures in the 70s, it was a perfect day for everyone but sailors. Wayne Cassingham did not get wind, but he did get a win.

Cassingham’s Banshee, “Cruizin”, representing the Idaho Sailing Association, finished first in the six-boat Banshee Class to win the Open Centerboard perpetual trophy and take home his first Camellia Cup as the regatta’s overall champion.

Photos by Mindi Lyseng and Bob Eger

Winning the Open Keel perpetual trophy and the Non-Spinnaker Class was Michael Rayfuse of the Folsom Lake YC on his Catalina 22, and atop the Spinnaker class on a Santana 20 was Mark Werder of FLYC. The winning Open Centerboard class boat was a Daysailer, skippered by Steve Lowry of the Fresno YC.

Not only were winds light, but so too were registrations for the regatta. Just 20 boats in four classes registered. Camellia Cup typically marks the annual start of sailing in the Sacramento area, though it competed with spring skiing for the attention of sportsmen.

Photos by Mindi Lyseng and Bob Eger

Also competing in a miniaturized version of Camellia Cup were eight remote-controlled, one-sixteenth-scale versions of 1930s America’s Cup J Boats. The model yachts sailed in the same light air on Saturday, starting only two races. On Sunday, breezes picked up, allowing 10 heats before the wind completely disappeared.

With high water at the lake, many park visitors were able to watch the model yacht competition up close which sailed over Hobie Cove’s flooded parking lot. Winning the 2023 RC Camellia Cup was Wilton’s Paul Brown representing the Sacramento Model Yacht Club.  

56th Camellia Cup Results:

Banshee Class

1. 1. W. Cassingham, ISA, Cruzin – 5 pts
2. 2. C. Lee, SSA, In n Out – 11 pts
3. 3. C. Witcher, RYC, Ghost – 13 pts
4. 4. J. Nelson, FLYC, Herkimer – 14 pts
5. 5. K. Johnson, FLYC, Blue Light Special – 20 pts
6. 6. S. Upadhyay, FLYC, The Destroyer – 25 pts

Open Centerboard Class

1. 1. S. Lowry, RYC, Daysailer, Flight Risk – 6 pts
2. 2. C. Simenstad, RYC, Laser – 9 pts
3. 3. P. Davis, FLYC, Lido 14, Nala – 9 pts
4. 4. S. Aguilar, ILCA, Laser, My Little Wife – 16 pts
5. 5. B. Ryhal, FLYC, Laser, ! – 23 pts
6. 6. J. Poimiroo, FLYC, Lido 14, Glory  – 28 pts

Non-Spinnaker Class

1. M. Rayfuse, FLYC, C22, Sirius – 6 pts
2. D. Hare, GCYC, C22, No Cat Hare – 8 pts
3. D. Samson, FYC, C22, Slo Mo – 12 pts
4. B. Curran, FLYC, C250, Malahat – 18 pts
5. S. Young, FLYC, H235, Puravida – 19 pts

Spinnaker Class

1. M. Werder, FLYC, S20, 2-Step – 4 pts
2. P. Hodgson, FLYC, WL24, Te Natura – 9 pts
3. R. Koch, FLYC, J22, Poco a Poco – 12 pts

RC J Boat Class

1. Paul Brown, SMYC, Svea – 13 pts
2. G. Novak, SMYC, Svea – 15 pts
3. B. Anderson, Famous Potatoes SC, Shamrock –  21 pts
4. D. Robinson, SMYC, Svea – 26 pts
5. J. Heinrich, Elk Grove MYC, Ranger – 26 pts
6. N. Richman, EGMYC, Endeavor  – 40 pts
7. D. Wilkinson, EGMYC, Whirlwind – 44 pts
8. P. McGroaty, Shamrock – 70 pts

Photos by Mindi Lyseng and Bob Eger

Author: Folsom Times Staff