16th California Dreamin' Match Race Series - Event 1 at San Diego
by Karina Sandhu 30 Jan 20:59 AEDT
24-25 January 2026
California Dreamin' Match Race Series © Mark Albertazzi
The 16th season of the California Dreamin' Match Racing Series opened last weekend on San Diego Bay with eight invited skippers competing in a World Sailing Grade 3 double round-robin format just off the downtown's City Front course.
Saturday delivered classic light and shifty San Diego conditions with breeze hovering between 4-6 knots demanding clean starts and precise boat handling. Sunday racing was briefly delayed waiting for wind before near-ideal conditions filled in at 5-8 knots under clear blue skies. Competitors sailed in SDYC's J/22s utilizing brand-new sails courtesy of the Club's longtime sponsor, Mount Gay Rum.
Skipper Sidney Gathrid from Del Rey Yacht Club led the regatta finishing first in 10 out of 11 races.Gathrid was undefeated on Saturday, opening with six straight wins, and followed up with four more victories on Sunday to secure the top spot on the podium.
According to Gathrid, it was a "super fun weekend on the water. We really enjoyed the light and tricky San Diego conditions. The level of racing was through the roof - honestly just stoked to be a part of it." Gathrid sailed with Ryan Eastwood (trimmer) and Sam Reynolds (bow).
The California Dreamin' Match Race Series is a four-stop West Coast circuit hosted by San Diego, Balboa, St. Francis, and Long Beach Yacht Clubs, and serves as a premier development pathway for match racers. Boats rotate throughout the series, with racing in J/22s, GovCup 22s, and Catalina 37s. The overall series winner earns an invitation to the 2026 Long Beach Yacht Club Butler Cup.
Up Next:
Balboa Yacht Club: February 7-8
St. Francis Yacht Club: March 7-8
Long Beach Yacht Club: April 11-12