2025 Bellingham Race Week Recap by Steve Summers
Bellingham Race Week 2025 Recap!
by Capt./Coach Steve Summers
On Sunday July 20 42 boats from all over the sailfish sea converged on Squalicum Harbor in
Bellingham, Washington to prepare their boats for five days of highly competitive bouy racing!
It was the first time in this location for Pacific Northwest Race Week, with previous stops in Oak
Harbor/Penn Cove and Anacortes. The move to Bellingham was precipitated by a desire to get
back to race week taking place in the third week of July to allow for time for more participants
to take advantage of great weather.
Day one did not disappoint, with four races in winds from the south at 8 to 14 knots and lots of
sunshine. There were four races on Monday which left a great feeling with all the crews at the
afterparty sponsored by Goslings Rum, Dark and Stormy’s being the popular drink of the week!
On Puff we were competing in the very competitive 10 boat J/105 fleet. Start line was tight with
a bias to the left side of the course up wind on the first leg, followed by long downwind legs
under spinnaker. Hydration was a big focus between races.
The crew consisted of three of our member skippers, Michael W., Brian H. and Jackie
R. all keen to learn new skills and tricks to bring back there crews on Monday night’s.
Mickael Clark and Lindsey Brown who regularly crew on J105’s, Shyah M. who will soon be
joining as a Coach and Victoria J., new to sailing and racing but very much on the right
path to learning a lifetime skill.
Tuesday saw wind from the south again with winds a little lighter 8 to 12knots, and three race
for the day. Day two is where the boats that did not have the best of it on day one has to make
their move to have a chance for the overalls. Moose Unknown was the dominant J/105, with
Panic and Jaded making the moves to catch up. Wednesday day saw similar conditions to
Monday with four more races. Lindsey and Brian had returned to work, and we welcomed
Jackie and Victoria for the rest of the week.
On Wednesday evening we received notification the Thursday would be a 20-mile-long distance
race either way around Vendovi Island! So after Thai food for dinner, we spent part of the
evening planning the route and tactics for the race around Vendovi. We eventually decided on
counterclockwise, and Moose Unknown was the only other taker on this route. For the boats
that got ahead clockwise around Vendovi seemed to be a benefit.
The highlight of the week was ABBA Night at the party with the cover band the Abba graphs!
This is a dress up dance party and Puff crew clearly won this event!
Friday Saw three more races in 12 knots gusting to 17 from the southeast, with the course
moved to the far west of the Bay. Followed by the awards ceremony at the Bellingham Yacht
Club.
It was a fantastic week of sailing and learning that seemed to pass by in a blurr! Let’s hope for
more of the same next year!
Steve Summers
