2026 Etchells West Coast Spring Series Racing at San Diego Yacht Club - Preview
by Karina Sandhu 13 Jan 17:29 PST
January-April, 2026
2026 Etchells West Coast Spring Series Racing © Mark Albertazzi
The prestigious 2026 Etchells West Coast Spring Series (WCSS) featuring one of San Diego's most active and competitive fleets is right around the corner. San Diego Yacht Club is looking forward to hosting 40 Etchells teams in the first regatta of the WCSS, the Etchells Bill Bennett Cup, held on January 17 & January 18. The Series participants will be fine tuning their racing skills throughout the four month series in preparation for the 2026 Etchells Worlds, which will be held at SDYC this May.
WCSS Event Chair, Melanie Aalbers, is looking forward to welcoming the racers stating "It's been exciting to see our Etchells racing grow as world-class sailors and teams arrive and momentum builds toward the Worlds. The West Coast Spring Series sets the tone, and we're looking forward to welcoming everyone to San Diego with Fleet 13 and San Diego Yacht Club hospitality. It's all about the competitive racing, outstanding race management, and the camaraderie that makes this fleet special both on and off the water."
Etchells veteran sailor and 2025 West Coast Spring Series winner, skipper Chris Busch of Bushido, discusses his thoughts on staying highly competitive throughout the Series going into Worlds. "With the Etchells Worlds coming to San Diego, we're excited about the growing level of competition in the West Coast Spring Series. Kicking off this weekend with the Bill Bennett Regatta, there are likely 10 teams with a realistic shot at the Worlds title. Our focus aboard Bushido this spring will be on developing boat speed and refining team processes. The WCSS provides an excellent opportunity to train alongside top teams during pre-regatta practice days and to measure our progress on the racecourse. I am fortunate to be joined by Ben Mitchell and Patrick Powell, and I'm excited to campaign with them this spring and throughout the Worlds."
SDYC's Waterfront Director, Jeff Johnson, provides insight into what racers can expect from the racecourse and typical conditions during this time of year. "Each event of the WCSS events, as well as Etchells Worlds, will be in the Pacific Ocean just southeast of Point Loma in an area known as the Coronado Roads, for the long sandy beaches of Coronado that border the area. January and February are typically marked by lighter NW winds and the occasional burst from a passing storm front. As storm activity fades in March and April, longer days and warming inland temperatures shift the pattern toward early-season "summer" cycles. These cycles feature cool ocean air that is pulled onshore to replace rising heated desert air and a more westerly direction. By late April and into May, winds can be especially dynamic as these sea-breeze patterns mix with the occasional northerly pressure system, though most days settle into steady conditions. The World Championship course will be set slightly farther offshore and pick up more current, but the second week of May should bring racers mild temperatures, sunny skies, and reliable SW-W winds in the 8-12 knot range."
Etchells racers will begin their trek down to Southern California this week for the Bill Bennett Cup from a range of national and international locations including Australia, Bermuda, Florida, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and up and down the California coast. This year's WCSS features a variety of Etchells sailors including class veterans, newer teams, and some up and coming sailors who are sure to give their competitors a run for their money.
The Under 30 team Passenger Princess's co-owner and team manager Claire Maco states "Over these past four years, under 30 participation in the fleet has grown significantly and we hope to foster that trend well after Worlds to bring the next generation of Etchells sailors to one of the most competitive fleets in the country." This will be Claire's fourth time participating in the WCSS and the first with her new team which is rounded out by SDYC members, Erika Barth - the recent winner of the Women's Winter Invitational Regatta Qualifier - and SDYC member Kyle Pippi.
Continuing the family tradition of Etchells sailing is another notable SDYC sailor, Will La Dow, who will be joined by his brother, Jake La Dow, his best friend, Alex Curtiss and SDYC member, Paula Schmid, aboard Second Wind. When asked how he was preparing for the WCSS and his thoughts on Etchells Worlds, La Dow stated "We are very lucky that the majority of the top teams sailing in the Worlds will be on the water during the West Coast Spring Series. The WCSS is a great opportunity to test out our skills, figure out where we need to make improvements and build upon our strengths, so we can put our best foot forward to Worlds. I'm lucky to have my dad, Andy La Dow, coaching us from start to finish. His legacy in the fleet will allow us to ramp up our efforts as quickly as possible."
For visitors to the San Diego area, room blocks are available at Bay Club Hotel and Marina and Monsaraz by Hilton. Please visit www.westcoastspringseries.com for more information.