The International Competition Returns February 17-18, 2024
Article from 2023 >
San Diego Yacht Club’s Women’s Winter Invitational Regatta received the US Sailing 2022 One Design Regatta Award. The US Sailing One Design committee said, “We are impressed with the fun and inclusive nature of the event bringing women from around the country together for a fun weekend of competitive sailing and camaraderie.”
2023 SDYC Commodore Jack Leer said, “This award recognizes the success of our volunteer member organizers as they continue the San Diego Yacht Club tradition of hosting highly competitive international sailing events.” The award is presented annually to recognize excellence in development, promotion, and management by organizers of the year’s outstanding international, national, or regional regatta. The One Design awards will be presented at 10 am on February 3 as part of the US Sailing Leadership Forum in St. Pete Beach, FL.
The Women’s Winter Invitational returns to La Playa Cove on February 4-5, 2023, for two days of competitive short-course sailing in J/22s. This invitation-only event attracts teams from around the US, plus teams from Canada and Brazil, representing their home clubs. More than 80 competitors representing 24 yacht clubs are coming to San Diego for action-packed, spectator-friendly, dockside sailing.
The Women’s Winter Invitational is one of the first established yacht club challenges for women in the country. The regatta was founded by Kris Zillmann in 2018 as a way to encourage participation in the sport and provide a unique Southern California sailing experience.
“We invite sailors who are besieged by winter to come enjoy what is usually a beautiful weekend. While seeking strong competitors with demonstrated results, we are also keen to encourage the next generation of racers to race, network, and enjoy the experience,” said Zillmann, who is also this year’s skipper representing San Diego Yacht Club.
2023 Women’s Winter Invitational Chair Jessica Sweeney is thrilled that San Diego Yacht Club is once again hosting this iconic event. "Not only is this regatta highly competitive, it is a lot of fun for both the sailors and spectators."
California Yacht Club has won the regatta for the past four years. This year, Skipper Simone Staff is back to compete with Beka Schiff as main/tactics and Mary Stuyvesant as jib. “Each year, me and my team go into this event with a game plan of staying consistent. I do not think much has changed in that regard; however we will just have to see what the conditions hold for the venue this year and adjust our expectations from there.”
Sailors and spectators alike experience the unmatched atmosphere of San Diego in February with a weekend of hospitality at the Club. The fun starts with the welcome reception on Friday, February 3, with wine tastings by Sipwell Wines and the opportunity for teams and spectators to get to know each other. Each morning, competitors can enjoy an hour of yoga and breakfast. Following the first day of racing on Saturday, February 4, competitors are invited to enjoy a regatta dinner at the Club before getting on stage for a fun night of karaoke. To conclude the weekend at the Awards Ceremony on Sunday, February 5, Old Harbor Distilling will serve a specially themed cocktail.
Spectating for invited guests dockside at SDYC, aboard your own boat, or for the general public along Point Loma's Bessemer Path, just boat lengths from the course. Check out our Instagram (@sdyc1886) for updates through the weekend.
Thank you to our sponsors Helly Hansen, Old Harbor Distilling, Sipwell Wines, and Bay Club Hotel and Marina.