Classic Mariner’s Regatta casts off in Port Townsend

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Braving the challenging winds and periodical rain all throughout last weekend, sailors participating in the Classic Mariner’s Regatta all managed to finish their races despite the elements.

The 39th annual rendition of the classic sailing race came after a two-year hiatus away from the water, but this year’s event reemerged with a fun change to typical rules in the past.

For the first time in the regatta’s history, the event was open to all kinds of sailboats of differing designs and materials.

The regatta was organized by the Port Townsend Sailing Association with the Northwest Maritime Center giving meeting spaces for post-race meals and award ceremonies.

Racers glided the waters of Puget Sound on June 4 and June 5.

Saturday’s regatta involved a triangle-shaped race route around Port Townsend Bay, and competitors were challenged by the strong breeze along the course.

Sunday brought even more interference from the elements as wind and rain proved to be quite the obstacle.

Sunday’s event was a nine-mile pursuit race — a regatta with staggered start times — that saw teams sail through the waters around Fort Worden and all throughout the Quimper Peninsula.

The competitors were placed based on performances across both racing days. The results of the Classic Mariner’s Regatta are as follows:

“Pacifica” won Sunday’s pursuit race, followed by “Varya” in second and “Kuma San” winning bronze.

The top Racing Class team was “Varya” in first, “Pacifica” in second, and “La Vie en Rose” in third. “Windsong took the gold for Cruising Class, followed by “Vito Dumas” with silver and “Santorina” at third.

The Thunderbird Class saw “Raven” win the top spot, “Kumo San” take second, and “Corvo” finish in third.

William Walden earned the gold in Laser Class by razor-thin margins, barely beating Lhotse Rawell (second) in the class.

For more information and race results, visit the Port Townsend Sailing Association’s website at ptsail.org.