It’s the middle of winter for most, but here in sunny San Diego, it’s 75 degrees every day. The San Diego Yacht Club knows exactly what to do with this formula and has been hosting the Women's Winter Invitational Regatta for the last 6 years and 2022 brought in an ever-growing interest from clubs and associations all across the US, including Hawaii and a team from Mexico. 24 teams were accepted to the slate and arrived for racing February 12-13th.

Twenty-four teams from around the US and Mexico made their way to San Diego this weekend for two days of competitive sailing in the 2022 Women’s Winter Invitational (WWI). Hosted by San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC), the J/22 regatta invites yacht clubs from all over the country to apply to send their best all-women teams for a series of racing in La Playa Cove. This year, over 80 talented women raced in a total of 58 races, but only one team took home the bragging rights for 1st overall. Coming from right down the I-5, California Yacht Club (Cal YC) sent team members familiar to the San Diego racing scene, Skipper Simone Staff and crew Beka Schiff and Melia Grasska.

The Etchells Fleet, one of San Diego’s most active and competitive fleets, has been gearing up this month in preparation for their biggest series in California, the 2022 Etchells West Coast Spring Series. Made up of four individual regattas spanning March to May, the series is known for its challenging racing amongst skilled sailors. Hosted by San Diego Yacht Club, the local fleet, Etchells Fleet 13 - San Diego, invites members and associates of the International Etchells Class to join them for the following regatta dates: 

Pacific Coast Championship: March 5-6, 2022
Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series (Bill Bennett Memorial): March 25-27, 2022
Midwinters West: April 8-10, 2022
Orca Bowl: May 14-15, 2022

The Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series, formally known as the NOOD (National Offshore One Design) Regatta, returns to San Diego on March 25-27, 2022. Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - San Diego is hosted by San Diego Yacht Club and Coronado Yacht Club and invites the following fleets to compete in South San Diego Bay and Coronado Roads: 29er, 505, F18, I14, Beneteau 36.7, Beneteau 40.7, Etchells, J/70, J1/05, J/120, Ultimate 20, and Viper 640. 

US Sailing Announces the Shortlist for 2021 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year Awards

Five men and four women have been shortlisted for US Sailing’s 2021 Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards.

Erik Shampain (SDYC) – 2021 was a year to remember for Shampain as his teams dominated major events across multiple classes and disciplines. Winning the J/70 Pre-Worlds event and then finishing 2nd at the Worlds Championship, Shampain’s teams also won the Etchells Midwinters West, finished second in the Midwinters East, and finished 3rd at the North American Championship. Additionally, Shampain was part of the Melges 24 National Championship team, the winning Congressional Cup team, a 3rd place Ficker Cup team, and placed 3rd in the Transpac Race.

Newport, RI (February 1, 2022) — With the 2022 racing season now underway, Bonnier Events continues to build on the rich tradition of the iconic brand of Sailing World magazine and its long-running racing series by introducing the rebranded Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series.

Featuring both a new name and event branding, the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series will kick off its 33rd season in St. Petersburg in February. Formerly called the National Offshore One-Design Regatta, the format was an immediate success with its unique concept of racing level in larger production boats, its unrivaled post-racing social experiences and its professional race management. The Sailing World Regatta Series grew nationally and remains the most popular weekend racing series in the United States.