Hosted from the iconic Northwest town of Anacortes, Washington, Anacortes Race Week 2024 promises a week of fun and competitive racing in the stunning waters around Guemes Island. Organized by former Northwest Yachting editor Schelleen Rathkopf, who has been at the helm of Race Week for nearly a decade, this event was moved from Oak Harbor four years ago to the current location and has since become a highlight in the sailing calendar.
The Port of Anacortes and city officials have collaborated closely with race officials to create a fantastic race village. This year’s village featured campsites, moorage, and a party venue located in close proximity, which fostered a vibrant community atmosphere. The main guest dock was completely taken over by the racing fleet for the entire week, transforming the area into a bustling hub of sailing enthusiasts.
A diverse set of racing sailboats entered the fray in this year’s series, with a wide array of makes, models, sizes, and shapes of boats converging for the late June event. The fleet was divided into two racing areas to ensure fair conditions for the diverse boats. The J70 sport boats and the impressive 6-meter box rule boats dominated one area, while the J105s, Melges 24s, and handicap fleets using PHRF and ORC rating systems competed in the other. This format minimized traffic on the race course and allowed for realistic course distances for each fleet, enabling the race committee to schedule numerous races throughout the week.
Racing began on schedule Monday morning, with a beautiful breeze settling in just as the fleet departed the dock. The J70s and 6-meters headed east into the shallow waters off Fidalgo Island, while the larger boats navigated to the north side of Guemes Island. The day was marked by shifty winds and challenging conditions, pushing tacticians and crews to their limits during three multi-lap buoy races on Monday and Tuesday.
The unpredictable wind conditions persisted throughout the week, peaking during Wednesday’s pursuit race. In this unique format, start times are staggered so that, theoretically, all boats should finish simultaneously. The entire fleet sailed the same course, creating a thrilling and challenging experience. A heavy downwind spinnaker run turned into a tight reach, with swirling breezes near the turning mark at Lummi Rocks adding to the excitement. The upwind beat back to the marina saw shifting winds that resulted in dramatic finishes.
Special recognition goes to the Melges 24 Distraction and its crew, who not only won the first-to-finish award but also dominated their fleet throughout the week.
Thursday’s races were a light-air affair, with a brief postponement before a shifting breeze kept crews on their toes. Despite the challenging conditions, the race committee managed to complete two races. On the final day, similar light conditions prompted the race committee to move the course to the waters directly outside the Anacortes marina in the Guemes Channel. The day concluded with racing in a lovely 10-knot westerly and flat water, providing a fitting end to the week.
Now in its fourth year at this venue, Anacortes Race Week has fine-tuned the formula to create an extraordinary event. It offers a full week of action on the water, amazing parties off the water, and breathtaking views of the Salish Sea against the backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. This event delivers an authentic Northwest sailboat racing experience like no other.
