LONG BEACH— Calling all Cal20 sailors! The 62nd Annual Cal20 Championship Regatta is set to take place at Shoreline Yacht Club (SYC) from July 26-28.
This prestigious event is open to Cal20 fleets from across the West Coast, with competitors hailing from California, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and British Columbia. The Cal20, known for its accessible design and thrilling racing, will be sailed by teams of two or three representing up to a dozen different yacht clubs.
Organizers anticipate roughly 40 entries for the three-day competition. On the second day, boats will be divided into gold, silver and bronze Fleets based on performance. Additionally, there will be separate awards for the top Master skipper, top junior skipper, and top female skipper.
“We’re excited to host this long-standing and competitive regatta at SYC,” said Deb Kelly, the vent chairperson. “The Cal20 Championship attracts a wealth of talent and we expect to see some fantastic racing from these classic boats.”
Designed by C. William Lapworth, the Cal20 entered production in 1961. With a focus on affordability and ease of ownership, over 1,900 boats were built at the Jensen Marine Factory in Costa Mesa by 1975. Despite its modest size, 20 feet, the Cal20 offers a surprisingly spacious layout, featuring a self-bailing cockpit and four bunks below deck.
Beyond practicality, the Cal20’s design resonated with racers due to its compliance with I.O.R. and one-design class rules, ensuring its longevity on the racing scene. Even today, six decades later, the Cal20 remains a popular choice for competitive sailing. According to the Cal20 website, 10 active fleets across the West Coast maintain a busy racing schedule in 2024, with events ranging from casual weekly races to regional championships.
This annual championship is renowned for attracting top one-design racers. Notably, several Southern California sailors participating in this event also compete in prominent races like the SoCal 300, TransPac and Newport to Ensenada with larger boats.
Last year’s regatta saw a dominant performance by Cabrillo Beach Yacht Club sailors, who swept all three fleet categories. Sailing Sluggo (#294), skippered by Bill Schopp, RJ Vanderweyde and Reidar Schopp, emerged victorious overall. Additional awards included Gordon Leon claiming the Masters title and Ariana Rassouli, sailing with Grant Janov, being named the top female sailor.
Sailors interested in participating can register for the event online at https://theclubspot.com/regatta/gh5WDHxjnw. More information about the Cal20 class and its rich history can be found on the official website at Cal20.org.
Following the final race on Sunday, an awards ceremony will be held at SYC to celebrate the regatta’s champions.
For further inquiries, please contact Deb Kelly at [email protected].
