Weis Wins California Dreamin’ Stop at StFYC
The annual California Dreamin’ Match Racing Series is a series of four events run each year at four West Coast yacht clubs: San Diego Yacht Club, Balboa Yacht Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, and the Long Beach Yacht Club. The series gives California match racers looking to move up the ladder the potential to qualify for higher-caliber events. The St. Francis Yacht Club event was run the weekend of March 8–9.
Amanda Witherell sent in this report: “Running quality match racing on the San Francisco Cityfront in early March is a challenge; it’s a time of transition from the winter doldrums, and wind directions can vary widely and wildly. Competitors, race committee and umpires anticipate fickle breezes and cross-course currents while they knock some winter months’ rust off their game. The unpredictability added an extra thrill for the nine teams match racing in J/22s at St. Francis Yacht Club.”
“After agitation over discouraging forecasts, Saturday presented a fresh westerly and flat water that allowed PRO Gerard Sheridan to promptly fire the first warning at 1023 and complete nine flights of four races before retiring for the day. Chris Weis (Richmond YC) and Molly Carapiet (StFYC) led with seven race wins, followed closely by Cormac Murphy (Seawanhaka Corinthian YC) with six wins, then Lindsey Baab (StFYC) and Shane Young (Long Beach YC), each with 5 wins.
“Sunday’s racing was marked by intense matches and quality race management and umpire work. When the dust settled, past California Dreamin’ Series champion Weis finished first, with Carapiet in second and Young in third.”
“The 2025 California Dreamin’ series will conclude with a final stop on April 5-6 at Long Beach Yacht Club, sailing Catalina 37s with an invitation to the 2026 Ficker Cup on the line.”
“As always, thanks go to the 25 race committee and umpire volunteers who assisted with the first weekend of racing in StFYC’s 2025 regatta calendar.” Complete results here.
On the San Francisco Cityfront this weekend: SailGP will be practicing this afternoon and racing the Cityfront this weekend. Grandstand tickets available here.