In 1993, the Ton Cup was added to the Yachting Cup as a Friday afternoon "tune-up" race. Since 1997, the Ton Cup's participants have raised contributions to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as part of their Leukemia Cup Series. Last year, we raised over $92,000 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The Leukemia Cup Regatta is part of a series of 45 sailing events across the US to raise money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - the US's largest charity sailing series. The national series was founded by former America's Cup winner Gary Jobson in 1994.

The Leukemia Society of America is the world's largest private organization concerned solely with finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma - and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families. Founded in 1949, this national voluntary health agency is one of the top-rated in terms of dollars that directly fund the agency's mission. Close to 80% of the agency's expenditures are directed to research, patient services, advocacy, education, and community services - through 57 chapters nationwide.

Leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma kill an estimated 60,000 people a year in the United States, with leukemia and lymphoma being the leading fatal cancers in people under the age of 35. In 1998, leukemia claimed the life of San Diegan, Carl B. Saunders, a member of Bishop High School's sailing team, and active participant in the SDYC Youth Program. He was 18. The Carl B. Saunders Trophy (perpetual) is presented to the overall winner of the Leukemia Cup race on Friday.

The Yachting Cup was established in 1972 as a premier offshore sailing event. Yachting Magazine was the sponsor, and SDYC the host. The IOR format was used for several years - those competitors ranged from the "Two-Tonners" down to the "Quarter-Ton Class" based on the yachts' sizes. The Yachting Cup was used several times as the US Ton Cup Championship, and was a qualifying event for the Worlds.

Today, the Yachting Cup has developed into a two-day Southern California premier multi-venue PHRF and One Design Regatta. Last year, there were 140 boats entered in 14 classes sailing on 3 separate courses.

The Yachting Cup Regatta takes place the weekend after the famous Newport to Ensenada Race. Many of those racers stop in San Diego on their way home to enjoy some around the buoy racing before continuing north. As a result, the Yachting Cup has traditionally attracted some of the best Southern California boats and sailing talent.