Bravo-cado, Peru: Winner of the First World Avocado Cup
The Avocados from Peru sailboat took home first prize – a sterling silver World Avocado Cup – during the inaugural World Avocado Cup Regatta in San Diego Bay. Theirs was one of 10 boats representing avocado-producing countries, coincidentally known for their robust sailing communities, during this unique sailing competition crafted to spotlight the global origins of avocados.
San Diego Yacht Club and World Avocado Organization hosted the first-ever World Avocado Cup Regatta during the weekend of July 13-14. Teams of three to four signed up to race in a nine-part sailing event over the course of two days of competitive sailing.
“We are thrilled with the first-ever World Avocado Cup Regatta; an action-packed weekend celebrating our favorite superfood, along with sailing,” said Xavier Equihua, CEO of World Avocado Organization. “The San Diego Yacht Club hosted an exceptional event which we hope will be the first of many World Avocado Cup Regattas to come.”
“We were thrilled to combine our love of avocados with our love of the ocean in this picture-perfect inaugural event,” Equihua added.
Established three years ago, World Avocado Organization is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to provide retailers and consumers with detailed information about the natural and versatile benefits of avocados. The Regatta is meant to illuminate the global origins of avocados and spread awareness of the increasing need for this superfood in a well-balanced nutritional diet. The fruit has gained popularity as a nutrient-dense superfood, providing more potassium than bananas and is packed with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants.
The World Avocado Regatta weekend kicked off with an opening reception at the San Diego Yacht Club on July 12 featuring avocado-inspired food and beverages.Teams raced SDYC’s J/22 sailboats featuring custom sails and spinnakers displaying country flags and logos of the avocado producer organizations from Colombia, Mozambique, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Tanzania, the US and Zimbabwe.
Nico Landauer, with the San Diego Yacht Club and skipper of the Avocados from Peru sailboat took first place with his crew, the “Peruvian Brothers,” Giuseppe and Mario Lanzone. Second place went to the “Fruit of Life” team; Skipper Molly Pleskus, Al Pleskus and Grace McCarthy, who represented the flagship sailboat of the World Avocado Organization. In third place was the “Avocados from South Africa” sailboat; Skipper Danny North, with crew Susan Dijkman, Tim Fleming, Julie McPherson and Jim Dorsey.
“It’s awesome to win the inaugural World Avocado Cup – I feel like a pioneer,” said Landauer, who has won several regattas. “The Lanzone brothers and I are already really stoked about participating in the World Avocado Cup every year.”