SAN DIEGO — The 2025 Etchells West Coast Spring Series came to an exciting close with the Orca Bowl, held April 26 and 27 off Point Loma. Thirty-three teams battled over five races in what was described as ideal weather, with consistent 8 to 12 knot breezes under mostly sunny skies.
Sunday’s final day of racing set the stage for a dramatic finish. According to PRO Bruce Golison, “Today’s conditions were perfect San Diego sailing conditions. Eight to twelve knots from the west made for really close racing.” Jeff Johnson, SDYC Waterfront Director, echoed the sentiment, noting, “Day 2 conditions were better than yesterday, and the fleets were always compressed at the finish for the top 10 to 15 boats.”
Orca Bowl standings came down to the final race, resulting in a thrilling three-way tie for first. Don Jesberg and his Corinthian team aboard Viva won the last race to break the tie and capture the overall victory, edging out Argyle Campbell (Rock On) and Greg Reynolds (Side Piece), all finishing with 19 points after a throwout. Jesberg, sailing with Alden Grimes and John Bonds, credited their consistency and team chemistry, saying, “Fight for every place, every leg… effort counts every race, all the way around the racecourse.”
The Saturday evening tradition of the Orca Bowl BBQ brought sailors and their families together for an evening of food, laughter, and camaraderie — a perfect reminder of the strong community spirit that defines the Etchells fleet.
Meanwhile, Chris Busch and Jim Madden’s Buschido team officially clinched the overall title for the 2025 West Coast Spring Series before the Orca Bowl even began. With victories at the Bill Bennett Cup and Midwinters West, and a third-place finish at the Pacific Coast Championship, Buschido secured the series title over defending champion Jim Cunningham’s Lifted.
Reflecting on the season, Busch shared, “The competition kept getting tougher at each event, and the conditions throughout the series were varied and challenging. We stayed adaptable. The Bill Bennett Cup had perfect conditions, but the Midwinters was our toughest regatta because of the rough sea state. Winning it by just one point made it even more special.”
In the Corinthian division, Jesberg’s Viva not only topped the Orca Bowl standings but also earned first place for the entire Spring Series, followed by Capricorn and Chomp!!.
Now in its ninth year (excluding 2020), the West Coast Spring Series continues to grow in strength and stature. Series Chair Melanie Aalbers praised the fleet, noting, “The level of competition has been incredibly high, but just as impressive has been the camaraderie. It’s a special group of sailors, and I’m excited to see the momentum continue as we work toward the Worlds in 2026.”
With top sailors traveling from as far away as Australia and the East Coast, San Diego once again showcased why it remains one of the premier hubs for competitive sailing — and why the future looks bright for the Etchells class on the West Coast.
Orca Bowl Final Standings:
1st Place: Don Jesberg (Viva)
2nd Place: Argyle Campbell (Rock On)
3rd Place: Greg Reynolds (Side Piece)
West Coast Spring Series Final Standings:
1st Place: Chris Busch/Jim Madden (Buschido)
2nd Place: Jim Cunningham (Lifted)
3rd Place: John Dane/Eric Doyle (Here We Go Again)
Corinthian Series Standings:
1st Place: Don Jesberg (Viva)
2nd Place: Ethan Doyle/Matt Hecht/Brad Rodi (Capricorn)
3rd Place: Eric Tecza/David Janinis (Chomp!!)
