Welcome!

Welcome to the 2026 racing season! We're excited to get you out on the water to learn and compete. Before completing your form, be sure to dive into our Racer Handbook (required reading). The handbook is your reference for all things racing related. 

Next Steps:

1. Review the Racer Handbook & Summary of Revisions.
2. Register for a Racing Clinic.
3. Review Form Deadlines for upcoming races.
4. Submit your Racer Interest Form.

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

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.

 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.

 

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

**If you have made plans to Crew on an RYOB Team, you can leave the series off your form.

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.

 

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. 

Race Fee Rate Sheet

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

**If you have made plans to Crew on an RYOB Team, you can leave the series off your form.

The Top 25 Race Program offers members a competitive racing experience 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. Teams will typically have coaches, but experienced Members with a history in our program may occasionally be offered opportunities to run teams.

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 series is highly encouraged. Racers who commit to all races in a multi-day regatta will have priority team placement. Review the Crew requirements for more information on how to participate.

Race Fee Rate Sheet

The Development Races Program offers members a supportive and educational environment to learn more about racing and build skills. It is encouraged both for New Racers looking to learn more about sailing and race tactics alike, as well as for experienced racers looking to step into a more independent or advanced role. 

These races are typically treated as training grounds for Member Skippers to prepare for running a boat in the Spring/Summer season, for newer racers to learn in a lower-stakes environment than the Top 25 Races, or for Members to otherwise move further towards their racing goals. Coaches may be assigned to teams to assist in the learning process, or Members may be encouraged to skipper, depending on experience level and program history. Review the Skipper and Crew requirements for more information on how to participate. 

Race Fee Rate Sheet

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 2nd and 3rd
• STYC Down the Sound: August 1st and 2nd
• STYC J&J Race: August 23rd

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

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 2026 Racer Handbook.

Race Fee Rate Sheet

Bellingham 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!

Race Fee Rate Sheet

On July 15th, 2026, a Fall-Winter Racer Interest Form will be released to collect interest in in the following races:

• CYCE Foul Weather Bluff: 10/3
• CYC Puget Sound Sailing Championships: 10/10, 10/11
• SYC Grand Prix Regatta: 10/23, 10/24, 10/25
• STYC Great Pumpkin: 10/31
• OIYC Round the County: 11/7, 11/8
• STYC Snowbird 2026-2027: 11/14, 12/12, 1/9, 2/20, 3/20

• Southern Sound Series: 12/2, 1/9, Feb TBD, March TBD
• CYC Center Sound Series: March 2027