The SCYA Midwinter Regatta’s history is packed with legendary sailors and their boats from the early days to the present. In 1928, SCYA and the LA Junior Chamber of Commerce teamed up to sponsor the first Midwinters which was promoted as an example of the sports “paradise” that Southern California offered in the winter. As hoped, the event attracted boats from the Great Lakes, Atlantic Coast and the rest of the Pacific Coast, and some of the best known yachtsmen in America, including Clifford Mallory, John Alden and Herbert Stone, editor of Yachting. Yachtsmen continued to come west for these regattas until the war years.

Star Impact
In 1930 Frank Borzage deeded a perpetual trophy which is still awarded to the winner of the Star class at the Midwinters. ;Borzage was then an aspiring film director who gained fame with A Farewell to Arms, Anna Karenina and Stage Door Canteen. Hook Beardslee was the first winner of the Borzage trophy. Beardslee went on to win the Star Worlds back to back in 1934 and 1935. The complete list of the Borzage trophy winners is presented in this NOR as a tribute to these top competitors in the only one-design class that has sailed in every Midwinter Regatta held. This distinguished group of skippers has posted numerous victories in the Star Olympics, Star Worlds and the America’s Cup as well as in scores of other one-design class championships.