Spring/Summer 2025 Racer Interest Form Logo

  • Spring/Summer 2025 Racer Interest Form

  • Welcome!

    Welcome to the 2025 racing season! We're thrilled to introduce new and exciting developments. Before completing your form, be sure to dive into our Racer Handbook (required reading). The handbook is your reference for all things racing related. Additionally, keep an eye out for two separate Racer Interest forms, each available on the specified dates.

    NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR 2025:

    • NEW Crew-Level Racers: 
      • ASA 101 or equivalent 
      • Pass Crew-Level Racing Clinic and Crew-Level Racer Quiz (Available 1/31)
      • Recommended: ASA 111 or Spinnaker Checkout
    • Returning Crew-Level Racers (18+ races with Seattle Sailing Club): 
      • Pass Crew-Level Quiz 
      • Recommended: Session 2 of the Crew-Level Racing Clinic
    • NEW Skipper-Level Racers: 
      • ASA 103 + ASA 111 (or equivalent) for Skippers of boats under 30’ OR
      • ASA 104 + ASA 111 (or equivalent) for Skippers of boats 30’ and over
      • SSC Coach Approval, demonstrated experience at the Crew Level or equivalent, verified through Club records or comparable qualifications.
      • Fill out a sailing resume and email info@seattlesailing.com
      • Pass Skipper-Level Quiz (Available 1/31) AND EITHER
      • Skipper-Level Racing Clinic or Skipper-Level Checkout
    • Returning Skipper-Level Racers:
      • Pass Skipper-Level Quiz (Available 1/31) AND EITHER
      • Skipper-Level Racing Clinic or Skipper-Level Checkout

    Next Steps:

    1. Review the Racer Handbook & Summary of Revisions (Updated for 2025!)
    2. Submit Racer Interest Forms
      1. Spring/Summer Racer Interest Form - available January 28th
      2. Fall/Winter Racer Interest Form - available July 14th
    3. Racer Release & Indemnity Waiver (required for all participants)

  • About You

  • Racer Levels:

    Please use this guide to answer the following 'Racer Experience Level' and '2025 Racer Goal' questions. 

    Crew Levels

    Crew 0 = 0-12 Ballard Cup races

    Crew 1 = 1 season (12+ races) of Ballard Cup

    Crew 2 = 1-2 seasons of Ballard Cup and sub (6+ races) in CYC Sound Wed.

    Crew 3 = 3 seasons of Ballard Cup or 1 season (16-20 races) in CYC Sound Wednesdays

    Crew 4 = 4+ seasons of Ballard Cup or 2 seasons of CYC Sound Wed. or 3 coached weekend regattas

    Crew 5 = Swiftsure or Round the County

    Skipper Levels

    Skipper 1 = 1 season skippering a Member Skippered team (BC or CYC) and/or skipper in 1-2 Member Skippered weekend races. 

    Skipper 2 = 2+ seasons skippering Member Skippered team (BC or CYC) and/or 3+ Member Skippered weekend races

    Skipper RYOB = RYOB Skipper in Ballard Cup or Weekend races

  • STYC Ballard Cup - Monday evenings 5:30pm to 8:30-9pm

  • One race each night, set marks, some short distance racing

    Ballard Cup, hosted by the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club, serves as a welcoming gateway to sailboat racing. The program starts with practices in March and runs the series from April through August. Focused on PHRF racing, buoy racing, and short-distance courses, the series promotes a supportive and respectful atmosphere on the water, discouraging yelling during races. 

    Tailored to various experience levels, participants can select from team options like Coached, Member Skippered, Women's team, LGBTQ+ team, or opt for the Run Your Own Boat (RYOB) program. Beginners are encouraged to start with coached and member skippered teams, benefiting from the guidance of patient, knowledgeable member skippers and coaches. Seasoned racers continue on to skipper Member Skippered teams and/or eventually move into the RYOB program.

    Following races, teams are invited to The Sloop Tavern for debriefing, team camaraderie, and socializing with other racers over drinks and food.

    Click here to view pricing.

    BALLARD CUP PRACTICE & SERIES DATES

     Race Practice:

    • Coached Teams: 1 practice required per series. Practice will be coordinated by the team's coach in collaboration with the crew.
    • Member Skippered Teams: 1 practice per series is recommended. Practice will be coordinated by the team's skipper in collaboration with the crew.
    • RYOB Teams: 1 practice per series is recommended.

    Practice
    (S1)

    		 SERIES 1 SERIES 2 SERIES 3
     3/31 or 4/7 are encouraged dates.

    4/14
    4/21
    4/28
    5/5
    5/12
    5/19

    		 6/2
    6/9
    6/16
    6/23
    6/30
    7/7    		 7/14
    Off week
    7/28
    8/4
    8/11
    8/18
    8/25

     

  • Ballard Cup Interest

  • Racing Interests by Boat

    Please select all that apply below. Cruising-class boats may be available on request.

  • *The LGBTQ+ race team is open to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and supportive straight individuals.

  • BC Racing Interest by Series

  • Series 1 - 4/14, 4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19

  • Series 2 - 6/2, 6/19, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7

  • Series 3 - 7/14, off week, 7/28, 8/4, 8/11, 8/18, 8/25

  • CYC Sound Wednesday Series - 5:00pm - 9:00pm

  • One-design Buoy Racing, Multiple Starts Each Night

    CYC Sound Wednesdays, hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club of Seattle, provides a competitive racing experience. The program features practices starting in March and runs the season from April through mid-September, with a full-season commitment strongly recommended. Tailored for racers with prior Ballard Cup (or equivalent races) experience, this series focuses on the intricacies of one-design racing, covering boat preparation, sail selection, tactics, sail trim, time, and starts. Crews in Sound Wednesdays bring a heightened level of seriousness and commitment to the course, offering a challenging and rewarding experience for dedicated racers.

     Team options include Coached, Member Skippered, or Run Your Own Boat (RYOB) depending on boat availability and racer experience.

     After racing, teams are invited to CYC for debriefing, team interaction, and socializing with other racers over drinks and food.

    Learn more about CYC Seattle here.

    Click here to view pricing.

    CYC SOUND WEDNESDAYS PRACTICE & SERIES DATES

    Race Practice:

    • Coached Teams: 1 practice required per series. Practice will be coordinated by the team's coach in collaboration with the crew.
    • Member Skippered Teams: 1 practice per series is recommended. Practice will be coordinated by the team's skipper in collaboration with the crew.
    • RYOB Teams: 1 practice per series is recommended.
    Practice (SPR) SPRING SOLSTICE SUMMER FALL
      3/26 or 4/2 are encouraged dates.

    4/9
    4/16
    4/23
    4/30
    5/7
    5/14

    		 5/21
    5/28
    6/4
    6/11
    6/18
    6/25
    7/2
    7/9
    7/16
    Off Week
    7/30
    8/6
    8/13    		 8/20 8/27
    9/3
    9/10
    9/17 9/24

     

  • CYC Sound Wednesday Racing Interest

  • Racing Interests by Boat

    Please select all that apply below. 

  • Spring Series - 4/9, 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 5/14

  • Solstice Series - 5/21, 5/28, 6/4, 6/11, 6/18

  • Summer Series - 6/25, off week, 7/9, 7/16, off week, 7/30, 8/6

  • Fall Series - 8/13, 8/20, 8/27, 9/3, 9/10

  • Weekend Racing Programs - Coached, Member Skippered, & RYOB

  • Coached 

    Weekend Regatta Programs

    The Coached Regatta Program offers competitive racing with a strategic and technical focus. It's a dynamic and challenging experience that introduces racers to long-distance, buoy, and one-design racing in a variety of PNW regattas. Participants from Sound Wednesdays or consistent teams, displaying a focused and fast-paced approach, have priority access to these races. This program is educational and rewarding, transforming dedicated sailors into ocean-racing aficionados. Commitment to all races in a regatta is highly encouraged. Racers who commit to all races in a multi-day regatta will have priority team placement. Review the Skipper and Crew requirements for more information on how to participate.

    View pricing here.

  • Coached Regatta Interest

    Please select the dates you are available for our coached regattas below. October's major regattas will be on the Fall Racer Interest Form, coming out in July.

  • NOTE: as of February 4th, 2025, J/Fest has been postponed from its original June dates due to conflict with another event at CYC. They are looking at dates in Fall 2025. Your interest on this form will still be recorded, but expect J/Fest interest to be collected again on the Fall Form once dates are known.

  • Member Skippered & RYOB Weekend Racing Programs

  •  The Member Skippered (MS) & Run Your Own Boat (RYOB) Regatta Program provides members the opportunity to skipper their own team through various PNW regattas year-round. This opportunity is available based on boat availability and racing experience. Racers who have achieved the Skipper level are invited to either create their own team of Club members for the Member Skippered team or assemble their team of non-club members through the RYOB program. RYOB skippers are responsible for registering the boat for the race and finding substitutes for their team. Review the Skipper and Crew requirements for more information on how to participate.

    View pricing here.

  • Member Skippered & RYOB Weekend Racing Interest

    Please select the races you are interested in participating in and what role you'd like to be on the team. Select all that apply.

  • NOTE: as of February 4th, 2025, J/Fest has been postponed from its original June dates due to conflict with another event at CYC. They are looking at dates in Fall 2025. Your interest on this form will still be recorded, but expect J/Fest interest to be collected again on the Fall Form once dates are known.

  • Double-Handed Racing

  • Double-Handed Racing is available by request for members with established experience in our program, subject to coach approval. A 6-hour private lesson centered around double-handed racing is required beforehand; see other requirements in the 2025 Racer Handbook. Seattle Sailing Club participates in the following double-handed races:

    • STYC Race to the Straits: May 3rd and 4th
    • STYC Down the Sound: August 2nd and 3rd
    • STYC J&J Race: September 7th

    To apply for our double-handed program, please contact info@seattlesailing.com and fill out our Sailing Resume Form.

  • Signature Races - Swiftsure, Anacortes Race Week, Round the County

  • SWIFTSURE INTERNATIONAL RACE - May 24-26

    Long-Distance / Overnight Race

    Seattle Sailing Club's program invites crews to participate in the Cape Flattery Race for Monohulls, part of the Swiftsure International Race in Victoria, Canada. The race, taking place on Memorial Day Weekend, involves a 104 mile overnight journey through the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Neah Bay and back to Victoria. The Swiftsure International Race is the largest yacht race on the West Coast, featuring over 150 race boats and more than 1000 race crew.

     

    Read more about Swiftsure on its website and in our 2025 Racer Handbook.

    View pricing here.

  • Race Week Bellingham - July 21st to 25th

    Race Week Bellingham (formerly Anacortes Race Week) offers 5 days of racing, fun, and camaraderie from Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham, WA. The event includes a mix of buoy and distance racing, complemented by themed awards parties each day—a true Summer Camp experience for adults.

    Our program provides Coached or Member Skippered team options for Anacortes Race Week. Members can choose to participate for all 5 days or selectively. Priority will be given to those available for the entire event.

    Read more about Race Week Bellingham on their website or in our 2025 Racer Handbook. If you're curious about the reasoning behind the move, check out their press release!

    See pricing here.

  • Future Racer Interest Forms

  • On July TBD, 2025, a Fall-Winter Racer Interest Form will be released to collect interesting in the following races:

    • CYC J/Fest: TBD as of 2/4/25
    • CYCE Foul Weather Bluff: 10/4
    • CYC Puget Sound Sailing Championships: 10/11, 10/12
    • STYC Great Pumpkin: 10/18
    • SYC Grand Prix Regatta: 10/24, 10/25, 10/26
    • STYC Fall Regatta: 11/1
    • OIYC Round the County: 11/8, 11/9
    • SBYC Snowbird 2025-2026: 11/15, 12/13, 1/10, 2/7, 3/21
    • South Sound Series: 12/6, 1/3, Feb TBD, March TBD
    • STYC Iceberg: 1/17/2026
    • CYC Center Sound Series: March 2026
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