The 2026 Girts Rekevics Memorial Foulweather Race started precisely at 09:30 from a line set between the Anacortes refinery dock and a nearby channel marker, with competitors facing strong easterly gusts, a substantial ebb tide, and gusty funneling through Thatcher Pass that repeatedly altered tactical choices.
Start, wind and early routing
The race’s simple mass start—no race committee signals, just a line and a horn—meant crews needed to be decisive. Forecast models and on-site indicators, like refinery plumes bent at right angles, signaled raw conditions. A brief clockwise shift toward the south just before the gun allowed many to hoist spinnakers and punch into Guemes Channel, using the mid-channel tidal stream to gain speed. Boats with lighter displacement and favorable waterline length, notably Mike Powell’s Makika and Nick Estvold’s PANGAEA, opened early leads across Rosario Strait.
Small-boat dynamics
Among the smaller fleet, Moore 24s and similar designs traded places constantly. Hummingbird, a Moore 24 skippered by Jon Anderson with Conor Harkins and Charlie Lawrence, matched pace with More Uff Da (Jennifer and Ben Braden’s Moore 24) for large parts of the crossing. Positioning and weight distribution proved decisive as crews negotiated puffs and surges.
Thatcher Pass — tactics and incident
Thatcher Pass amplified the race’s character: wind funneled into chaotic puffs from shifting directions, making downwind jibes high-stakes. While executing a jibe on a spinnaker run, Hummingbird experienced a tight wrap around the forestay, followed by a partial broach that sent a crew member slipping on the bow and the spinnaker pole airborne. Quick recovery—uncleating the halyard, shoving the kite into the companionway and switching to the #2 jib—kept the boat in the race.
What went wrong and why it mattered
- Halyard cleat placement: when the halyard release point is on the lee side it becomes vulnerable in heavy wind.
- Spinnaker handling: a wrapped kite can rapidly convert into a safety hazard if crew are exposed on the foredeck without lifelines.
- Tidal currents: the ebb through Thatcher and Lopez Sound accelerated boats but magnified risks during maneuvers.
Approach to Lopez Sound and the finish
After recovering, several boats attempted another kite run into the tight slot between Willow and Blakely Islands. Hummingbird’s second kite eventually came down when the halyard cleat worked free, prompting a conservative decision to finish under the #2 sail. That choice proved sensible as conditions continued to build; the reach and run through San Juan Channel became fast but manageable without the kite.
Podium and class results
| Class | Winner | Boat |
|---|---|---|
| PHRF 1 | Time Bandit | J/120 |
| PHRF 1 | Black Arrow | Beneteau First 35 |
| PHRF 2 | More Uff Da | Moore 24 |
| Multihull | Makika | F-25C |
| Shorthanded | Sir Isaac | Burns Schooner |
Onshore scene and tourism links
Friday Harbor hosted the post-race camaraderie, with San Juan Island Yacht Club volunteers running the celebration. Events like the Foulweather Race bring sailors and spectators to the islands in February, supporting local lodging, eateries and excursion operators. Visitors planning to combine spectating with island exploration can book guided outings—whale watching, museum tours or short ferry-based excursions—through platforms that provide secure payments and voucher confirmation, which simplify logistics for winter travel.
Practical tips for visiting spectators
- Expect wet, windy weather; pack layered, waterproof clothing.
- Check ferry and local transit schedules—tides and race routing can alter arrival times.
- Book accommodations and excursions in advance to secure winter rates and options.
The Foulweather Race showcased both the thrill of winter sailing and the practical limits of gear and crew work under pressure. Highlights included dramatic spinnaker work in Thatcher Pass, clever tidal routing, and a mix of clean finishes and memorable incidents—the latter earning a few crews the race’s tongue-in-cheek awards. Even the best reviews and most honest feedback can’t replace on-the-water experience; firsthand participation or onshore spectating reveals nuances that reports can’t fully capture. On GetExperience, you can book verified local experiences and tours at reasonable prices with secure payments and voucher confirmation, or request custom excursions tailored to your needs—making it easier to plan a San Juan visit around race weekends. Book your Trip GetExperience.com
Summary: The 2026 Girts Rekevics Foulweather Race combined strong easterly wind, significant ebb currents and close-quarters tactics through Thatcher and Lopez Sound, producing dramatic spinnaker work, a mix of podium finishes across classes and lively onshore celebrations in Friday Harbor. For travelers and sailing enthusiasts, the event underscores the appeal of winter regattas and supports related travel experiences—adventure rafting trips, eco-friendly wildlife safaris, museum tours with live guides, luxury adventure travel options and even yacht charter specials—while reminding everyone that nothing replaces being there in person to enjoy the full travel experiences and adventure activities on offer.