Houston Team Moves Into a Big Lead in U.S. Yacht Club Challenge Cup Regatta

A Houston Yacht Club team, skippered by Clark Thompson Jr., showed a liking for the light airs off Newport Beach Thursday and scored two bullets to take a commanding lead in the U.S. Yacht Club Challenge Cup Regatta.

Eleven clubs are competing in the best-five-of-six-race regatta to claim the title of the best yacht club in the U.S. The regatta is being sailed in New York-36 sloops.

Winds for the first two races never exceeded eight knots, and the second race was shortened to allow it to be finished before dark.

Second in the standings is the host Newport Harbor Yacht Club, with skipper Scott Mason, finishing fifth and third for eight points. Third is Southern Yacht Club, New Orleans, La., skippered by Tom Merick, with finishes of third and seventh for 10 points.

The regatta continues with two races today and two Saturday. Skippers will throw out their worst race in the final scoring.

The Yacht Club Challenge is a biennial event involving clubs chosen by a panel of national yachting authorities.