For the third year in a row, boaters will put their sailing skills to the test at the Whidbey Summer Classic Regatta, an Oak Harbor Yacht Club event that runs Friday, July 28 through Sunday, July 30.
The competition will take place in an area that includes Penn Cove, Saratoga Passage and Crescent Harbor. People can watch the colorful races from various places in Coupeville. Sail Fleet Captain Aaron Hale said this year’s event will be bigger than in past editions, with 25 boats registered as of July 25. He will compete as well, on board his San Juan 28, which he named Argosia.
The race begins each day at noon. The participating boats will be separated into different categories but will race at the same time — only their start time and courses will be different. Hale recommends people watch from the restaurants on the waterfront to comfortably enjoy a good view of the race.
The winners will be announced Sunday and will be determined through a low-point system — commonly used in sailing competitions. The boat that arrives first will get one point, while the boat that arrives third will get three. After each race, the points are added and the boat with the least amount of points wins.
The event will also include field games, a DJ performing Friday and live music Saturday by band Soul Siren.
All skill levels are welcome to register by Thursday, July 27. For more information, visit whidbeyclassic.com.