in downtown Seattle wish they were on Elliott Bay. (Photo: Alex Kwanten)
August in many ways announces both the height and decline of summer as boating events pack schedules and different programs come to their ends. The popular Downtown Sailing Series out of Elliott Bay Marina on Thursday afternoons is one such example, with the culminating final race known as the Rutten Race, sponsored by Northwest Yachting magazine, on August 10.
The Rutten Race, or officially the Tom Rutten Memorial Race, is named after Tom Rutten, who tragically passed away too young after prolonged illness in 2008. Rutten was one of the co-founders and organizers of the series as well as a well-known salesman for this very magazine. Like all Downtown Sailing Series races, the primary objective of the Rutten Race is to get as many people out on the water for a good time.
The Downtown Sailing Series races begin at 1900 hours on Thursdays during the summer, and the race course takes the fleet along the downtown Seattle waterfront before leading them back toward the marina. The race is always followed up by a BBQ with live music for both racers and observers to mingle. For more info, check out downtownsailingseries.com.
