By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (April 17, 2025)
FOLSOM, Calif. — El Dorado Hills resident Craig Lee, representing Scuttlebutt Sailing Association, secured a notable victory in the Banshee class at the 58th Annual Camellia Cup Regatta, held April 12–13 on Folsom Lake. Lee’s performance earned him the prestigious Perpetual Centerboard Trophy, distinguishing him among competitors in the centerboard division.
The Camellia Cup, organized by the Folsom Lake Yacht Club (FLYC), is a hallmark event in Northern California’s sailing calendar, attracting a diverse fleet of vessels. This year’s regatta featured seven classes, including Banshees, Lasers, multihulls, and various keelboats, with sailors contending for both class titles and overall honors.
In the Banshee fleet, Lee’s adept handling of his vessel, “In N Out,” propelled him to the forefront, showcasing his sailing prowess amid a competitive field. The Banshee, a swift and responsive dinghy, demands both skill and strategy, qualities that Lee demonstrated throughout the races.
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The overall Camellia Cup Championship was claimed by the Samson family of Orangevale. Skipper David Samson, alongside his sons Marcus and Matt, sailed their Catalina 22, “Slo Mo,” to victory in the Open Keel Non-spinnaker class, also earning the Keelboat Perpetual Trophy. Reflecting on the win, David Samson remarked, “My father was passionate about the sport of sailing. He entered Slo Mo in many CamCups, and it was always a family affair with children and grandchildren on board.”
Other class winners included Al Sargent of the Saint Francis Yacht Club in the Laser class, Mark Werder of Folsom in the Open Keel Spinnaker class, and Ryan Schofield in the multihull division aboard a Hobie 20. In the model yacht category, Charles Witcher of the Sacramento Model Yacht Club triumphed with his 1/16-scale replica of the 1930s America’s Cup “J” boat, SVEA.
The regatta unfolded under favorable weather conditions, contributing to the event’s success and the sailors’ performances. For more information on the Camellia Cup and other FLYC events, visit flyc.org.
