Fun-in-the-Sun Race Week Bellingham!
(Bellingham, WA)- This year’s infamous “adult sailing summer camp” in the Pacific Northwest- the Race Week Bellingham- was sailed in Bellingham, WA, based out of Squalicum Harbor, with direct access to Bellingham Bay. The regatta featured buoy, distance, and pursuit races for the fleet of J/70 and J/105 one-design classes and ORC/ PHRF offshore handicap divisions.
The sailors loved the new regatta headquarters based in the Fisherman’s Pavilion, a 9,000 sq ft event space with broad views of the harbor and a bar that had amazing waterfront views, too. The Pavilion served as the site of the notoriously fun, post-race parties that featured live music, silly themes, and an open bar.
Long-time Race Week regatta manager Charley Rathkopf from Seattle, WA, served as the Race Committee Chief, and he was joined by Principal Race Office Paul Evenden from Vancouver, BC. Before the regatta, RC Charley Rathkopf explained, “I’ve been PRO for Bellingham Yacht Club’s PITCH regatta for the last six years, and Bellingham Bay is a great place to sail. I am looking forward to getting a big fleet back. My entire Race Committee team is coming to Bellingham, and we’re looking forward to the new venue!” No one was disappointed by the sailing over the weekend! Fun was had by all, both on and off the water.
The regatta is popular with Pacific Northwest J/Teams, by far the biggest brand at the regatta! Here is how it went down for the J/70 and J/105 one-design fleets and the ORC and PHRF offshore handicap racers.
J/70 Class
After nineteen races, it was the trio on JABBERWOCKY (Paul Garner/ Steve McCracken/ Larry Crites) that sailed a consistent series with mostly podium finishes to win the exhausting series with 31 pts net after discard. Second was Mike Powell’s TALLY HO with 36 pts net, and rounding out the podium was Boris Luchterhand’s RIFF with 42 pts net.
J/105
Nearly sailing as many short-course races as their J/70 colleagues, the J/105 class delightfully sailed a punishing fifteen-race series. Winning was John Aitchison’s MOOSE UNKNOWN with 20 pts net after posting nine 1sts and four 2nds!
The balance of the podium included Chris Phoenix’s JADED with 37 pts net, followed by Mike Cain’s PANIC with 46 pts net, finishing second and third, respectively.
ORC B Division
Like the J/105s, this fleet also sailed fifteen races! Taking the bronze medal was Flash Marine’s J/111 FLASH! The FLASH boys sailed a very consistent regatta, posting mostly 3rds and 4ths in their scoreline.
PHRF A Division
In this half-dozen boat fleet, Todd Koetje’s J/109 HRAVN earned the bronze medal, counting nearly all 3rd places! Then, finishing fourth place was Grant Meumann’s J/33 KEET with 4ths and 5ths dotting their scoreline.
PHRF B Division
A classic old J/team sailed well in this eight-boat fleet. Taking the bronze medal was the well-maintained J/27 ZEPHYR, sailed by Arial Brewer.
Sailing photo credits- Jan’s Marine Photography
https://janpix.smugmug.com/Race-Week-Bellingham-2025
For Race Week Bellingham sailing results
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu/16998
For Race Week Bellingham sailing information
https://www.raceweekpnw.com/