J/Teams Lead the Charge at 2026 San Diego Yachting Cup

(San Diego, CA)- Last weekend, San Diego Yacht Club hosted its popular Yachting Cup Regatta for over fifty boats. Descending upon the waters of San Diego Bay and Coronado Roads were one-design classes for J/111s, J/105s, and J/24s, plus a PHRF Division.

Kicking things off was the always-popular Friday “Ton Cup” race, sailed in La Playa Basin aboard SDYC’s fleet of J/22s. It’s a relaxed, high-energy warm-up designed to get crews dialed into teamwork and setting the tone for the weekend. It was a lively start, a fast-paced, tactical showdown that set the tone for the racing ahead.

The Ton Cup brought together sixteen teams for an exciting afternoon of short-course, round robin racing. Under sunny skies and a steady breeze, the compact format kept pressure high with quick turnarounds, tight mark roundings, and no room for error. Consistency and clean execution were rewarded across the rotation.

Emerging at the top of the fleet was SKELETON KEY, skippered by Peter Wagner (St. Francis Yacht Club). Close behind, GIVEN-HO, skippered by Erika Barth (San Diego Yacht Club), secured second, with KEA, skippered by Matt Brown (San Diego Yacht Club) rounding out the podium in third.

Day 1
Building on that Ton Cup momentum, racing unfolded on several fronts, showcasing the range of conditions San Diego has to offer. J/24s raced windward/leeward courses in San Diego Bay. ORC-1, ORC-2, J/111,and J/105 classes headed offshore to the Coronado Roads course for their own buoy racing.

Bill Ramacciotti shared how his J/24 RYLAH grabbed the class lead on Saturday. Bill commented, “The J/24 class was very close, tight racing. In the first race, it was our boat RYLAH passing TAKE FIVE at the finish line on a quick jibe. RYLAH came from behind from fourth place passing three boats to chase down TAKE FIVE to win that first race. In Race 2, RYLAH got out ahead and didn’t look back taking another win. But in Race 3, RYLAH had an equipment failure with the tiller extension breaking, didn’t make the pin and had to take tack then take all the sterns, and by the end of the race, near the finish line, we were able to pass two boats for the finish the day. Great day sailing. J/24 fleet 70 is very competitive, having fun, camaraderie all the way around. Racing is getting closer. We did hear the rumors of new sails and crispiness of it all, but everybody’s having a good time shaking hands, having beers, and just having a great time in a very competitive class in the Yachting Cup. SDYC made it happen today. Tomorrow is gonna be interesting. Let’s see how it plays out.”

The J/24 class featured 3 teams from out of town (LA, Arizona and Colorado). The CALAMITY team said “We had a blast on CALAMITY despite a few mishaps. Always enjoy racing with all you guys and gals in San Diego.”

Mark Stratton was racing his J/122 CHEEKY in ORC-1 Class. Mark commented, “It’s brilliant to be out on the water at an amazing regatta, the wind conditions were perfect for close racing against top performers. We are looking forward to racing tomorrow where the race could be anyone’s with the top three boats.”

Mike Hatch’s J/105 J-ALMIGHTY won all three races in class. Mike’s commentary, “Today’s sailboat racing featured incredibly tight competition, where even the smallest mistake could make the difference. The fleet was stacked with highly skilled sailors, and performance ultimately came down to teamwork and execution.”

Day 2
Sunday racing delivered another strong day on the water, with eight classes spread across San Diego Bay and the Coronado Roads courses.

The J/24s started inside San Diego Bay where the J/24s continued their buoy racing, and the shifting breeze and current made for strategic, high-concentration sailing. The ORR class raced a 20.3nm course covering much of the city front inside the bay and the second half of the race out in the ocean.

PRO Susi Graff managed the Bay course racing this weekend and shared her experience with three separate types of racing going on. “The Bay course with the J/24s and the go-fast ORR boats had a great time in the Bay this weekend. Today, we were able to get in three good races for the J/24s. We started the ORR boats on an ocean race and they ended up coming back in the bay. That was thrilling to see those huge boats along with the J/24s. It was a great weekend for all.”

Meanwhile, the offshore buoy racing fleets – ORC-1, ORC-2, J/111, and J/105 – took on the open ocean course off Coronado Roads, where more consistent pressure rewarded strong boatspeed and clean execution. Over the course of the weekend, six races were completed for the windward/leeward classes and two for the ORR class.

PRO Bill Stump, who spent the weekend running races for the ocean course fleets, said “Today started out nice and clear out there, could see the Coronados and all the mountains. The wind was like yesterday at 11:30 when our first warning was, light 6 knots at 270, and started to move right and build a little bit. It felt like it was going to build up like yesterday and it never did. We got up to 8 knots at the very top. For the last race which was a 1.5 lapper finishing up by the point, the wind really let off and most boats had an hour long race, whereas the rest of the weekend races were averaging 45 minutes.”

J/111 Class
Peter Wagner’s SKELETON KEY continued to excel in the J/111 class, taking the class win for the 3rd year in a row at the Yachting Cup. Peter shared that “Conditions were superb at this year’s Yachting Cup as was the tight competition in the J/111 class. Three different boats won races, which kept things interesting! SKELETON KEY also loved participating in the J/22 Ton Cup, which is such a fun and unique event.”

SKELETON KEY won with a scorecard of three 1sts and three 2nds in six races for 9 pts. Taking the silver medal was John Staff’s OBSIDIAN from California YC with an equally impressive record of two 1sts, three 2nds, and 3rd for 11 pts. Ed Sanford’s CREATIVE team from the host SDYC took the bronze medal with a 1st and five 3rds for 16 pts!

J/105 Class
Mike Hatch’s J-ALMIGHTY team were the gold standard for the J/105s, winning with three 1sts and three 3rds for 12 pts. Behind them, it was a battle for the remaining podium spots. Ultimately, George Roland’s JALOPY took the silver with a 3-2-4-2-6-2 tally for 19 pts. Sailing a less than consistent series to what they are accustomed to, Chuck & Stephen Driscoll’s JUICED took the bronze medal with a 5-3-3-5-1-5 tally for 22 pts.

J/24 Class
After starting out in the driver’s seat by winning on the first day, William Ramacciotti’s RYLAH continued their fast pace and closed the regatta with four 1sts, 4th, and 5th for 13 pts to win quite handily. A familiar face at the top of the leaderboard gave them stiff competition all weekend- Susan Taylor’s TAKE FIVE finished with a 2-4-2-3-2-3 record for 16 pts to take the silver medal. Then, rounding out the podium for the bronze medal was Christian Seidel’s WHARF RAT with a 3-6-3-2-3-2 tally for 19 pts.

ORC 1 Division
Winner of the ORC 1 Division, Mark Stratton’s J/122 CHEEKY was selected the regattas overall winner. “Thank you very much for a wonderful weekend, good yacht racing, great winds. And we’re looking forward to seeing you again next year.“

Sailing a good series in their new J/40 performance cruiser was Mike Thompson’s KATSUO. They ended up in fourth place counting six 4ths in their scoreline for 24 pts.

ORC 2 Division
The two J/120s in this division are almost always fighting “tooth & nail” for fleet honors. This year, it was John Laun’s CAPER that simply “ran the table” scoring only six 1sts for 6 pts! Wowow! Chuck Nichols’s CC RIDER, also a past class winner, finished in third place with a 2-2-3-4-3-4 record for 18 pts.

Commodore Alli Bell, who sailed with Staff Commodore John Laun’s J/120 CAPER this weekend, said “It was a beautiful weekend on the water. The weather cooperated and the sailing was terrific. Thanks to everyone who came out, Regatta Chair Donica Ryder, Race Officers Susi Graff and Bill Stump, and their race committee teams. We look forward to welcoming you all back for the 2027 Yachting Cup!”

Racing concluded with an awards presentation and after party hosted at San Diego Yacht Club, where racers gathered to celebrate a competitive and well-sailed regatta.

The 2026 Yachting Cup was proudly sponsored by Driscoll Boat Works, Helly Hansen, Mount Gay Rum, Maui Brewing Co, North Sails, and Sun Bum.

For more San Diego YC Yachting Cup sailing information
http://www.yachtingcup.com/