San Diego, CA — By a narrow margin of just 3 points, the ever-colorful Chris Raab and his team won the 2025 Don Trask International Masters Regatta hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, finishing with 59 points after three days of racing. Heading into the final day, with breeze ranging from 5-10 knots and warm sunny skies, the top three boats led by the team from St Francis Yacht Club (California) and skippered by Tracy Usher were separated by just 3 points, and the top half of the fleet separated by just 10 points leaving the competition wide open. Lead changes were the order of the day at almost every mark; strategy was all in the starts and a team’s ability to interpret the shifts in the variable breeze. In the end, it was newcomer Raab, representing Alamitos Bay Yacht Club/Newport Harbor Yacht Club (California) who cleverly navigated the talent-stacked fleet from 4th place at the end of Day 2 to take the grand prize. Raab’s crew included Ed Feo, Robert Kinney, Morgan Reeser, Marco Constant, KJ Paradise and Craig Leweck.
The 2025 International Masters Regatta, which as of October 14, 2025 has been officially renamed the Don Trask International Masters Regatta, is set to return to San Diego Yacht Club October 17-19. Don Trask, who passed away on September 29, 2025, founded the International Masters Regatta at St. Francis Yacht Club in 1979 as a tribute to Master-level skippers who had made a name for themselves in the sport. In its early days, the regatta was held in J/24s and then eventually changed to J/105s.The regatta moved from StFYC to San Diego Yacht Club in 2012 thanks largely to the efforts of Malin Burnham and with Don’s blessings. Don always loved sailing in San Diego and continued to be an ardent supporter of and competitor in the regatta once it moved south, competing in the event 6 more times. Don’s longtime crew and friend Bill Kreysler echoed this sentiment stating “Don loved to sail and loved to win, but most important to him were the friendships. Don reminded us that sailing is about sharing a sport we love with the friends we’ve made along the way.”
For discounted rate hotel rooms for the Masters Regatta, at The Bay Club Hotel & Marina, book online at https://www.bayclubhotel.com/book/dates-of-stay?domain=portal.travelclick.com&groupID=4668273. The hotel is walking distance from SDYC. Discounts available Thursday October 16 - Sunday October 19, 2025. The discounted rate is $219/night.
The Bay Club Hotel and Marina pool and hot tub will be under construction at the time of your stay and will be unavailable for use. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Feel free to make additional arrangements as you see necessary.
