Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week set to kick off in one week
by Long Beach Race Week 20 Jun 06:14 PDT
June 26-28, 2026
Ullman Sails Long Beach Race Week © Bruce Crary
More than 1,000 sailors from up and down the California coast and beyond will converge on Long Beach next weekend for 3 days of competitive sailing, spirited shoreside celebrations, and the ubiquitous June breeze that's made Long Beach Race Week one of the premier sailing events on the West Coast.
Hosted jointly by Alamitos Bay Yacht Club and Long Beach Yacht Club, Long Beach Race Week sees participation from a wide mix of one design and PHRF competitors, from veteran campaigners to first-time entrants eager to test themselves against the region's top sailors.
Among the notable entries this year is the TP52 Akua Kai, skippered by Standish Fleming, who is setting expectations for the event's famously challenging conditions as he prepares for next year's Transpac race.
"Long Beach has always been a real fun regatta, and we're definitely looking forward to it," says Fleming.
With several high-performance boats alongside him on the scratch sheet, Fleming says he's excited to race amongst the elite competition.
"It's an opportunity, really, for the whole fleet to up its game and have a lot of fun," he says. "These boats like a breeze. It should be a good test of boats and crew."
The regatta also continues to attract offshore sailors looking to sharpen their skills around the buoys, including the One Design 35 Black Marlin, skippered by Herwig Baumgartner, who is making his debut appearance at the annual regatta.
"It's our first time doing Long Beach Race Week and we are really excited about it," says Baumgartner. "We're eager to get our chops up a bit inshore."
Racing begins Friday. Conditions permitting, multiple races are scheduled each day, giving teams many openings to demonstrate speed, power, and consistency across the 3-day series.
"The wind conditions are great, and everybody shows up for it," says J/70 Avet 2.01 skipper Curt Johnson, who has competed in Long Beach Race Week since its inaugural year. "It's like a reunion of everyone you know in West Coast racing - sometimes people you haven't seen in years."
Now in its third decade, Long Beach Race Week's annual success is built on the partnership between Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, Long Beach Yacht Club, and title sponsor Ullman Sails Newport Beach. The two clubs create a regatta experience that combines first-class race management with outstanding hospitality on and off the water.
Founded in 1924, Alamitos Bay Yacht Club has long been recognized as one of the premier dinghy and one-design racing clubs in the United States. The club has produced numerous national, world, and Olympic champions and remains deeply committed to advancing the sport through youth development and competitive racing programs.
Just across the harbor, Long Beach Yacht Club traces its history to 1929 and has established itself as one of the country's leading yacht clubs. A host for major national and international championships, LBYC is known for its advancement of competitive sailing on the West Coast while growing a vibrant community of sailors who range in interest from weekend warriors to America's Cup competitors.
"Our clubs have been doing this together for more than 20 years," says regatta co-chair and Long Beach Yacht Club spokesman John Busch. "We're now the largest regatta on the West Coast."
"It's something we're really proud of," adds Alamitos Bay Yacht Club spokesman Chuck Clay who, with Busch, has been part of the race's organizing authority since its beginnings. "The race really offers up every kind of condition. There's something for everyone - from small boats to offshore veterans, and sailors who just like to get out on the water and have a good time."
In addition to racing, competitors and guests will enjoy the hospitality of both host clubs and the cadre of volunteers led by Jennifer Kuritz. The schedule includes entertainment from performer Steve Steiner, food, drinks, and opportunities to mingle with friends across the sailing community. Social events will be held at ABYC and LBYC, with a water taxi running between both clubs all weekend.
Registration remains open through Tuesday, June 23rd at 6 PM for competitors wishing to enter. For complete event details, entry list, registration information, and schedules, visit lbrw.org.