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.

As we headed in to the final day of racing at the International Masters Regatta, one thing was clear, everyone had tasted moments of victory and they all were salivating for more. There were several teams that had the potential to seize the title but no one was more determined than this year’s overall winner, Scott Harris. The third day of racing saw major shake ups from one mark rounding to the next while skippers moved wildly through the standings. Tad Lacey, Cory Sertl, and Gary Jobson were not about to go down without a fight.

One look at the daily firsts will prove our invited skippers are truly Masters of this sport. After the second day of sailing we have completed nine races and each of those races has been won by a different skipper. Earning an invitation to the International Masters Regatta is a feat in itself, but this years skippers are proving to be perhaps the most equally matched and skillful sailors we have seen yet. The caliber of sailing on the course today was unparalleled as each race brought new excitement and anticipation. Spectators waited to see who would seize the coveted bullet. All our master skippers are showing their hunger to claim their very first Masters win. 

Day one of the 2023 International Masters Regatta put this talented group of seasoned sailors to the test. Of the 12 accomplished veteran skippers at this year's event, none have yet to win the title. The competition spirit is high as we wait to see which team will earn the coveted blue blazer. This year we have a truly international group of skippers hailing from Mexico, Canada, the United States, and Germany. America's finest city was showing off for its visiting guests with sunny skies, white caps on the water, and shifting winds that made for a challenging course. With the round-robin racing style and strategic course adjustments by Race Committee after each race, this international field showed why they are known as masters.

The 41st running of the International Masters Regatta returns to San Diego Yacht Club October 20-22, 2023. This year’s slate of twelve competitors brings together a truly international cast of Master skippers from Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United States. Over the three days of racing, teams will compete using chartered J/105s in a round-robin format in South San Diego Bay.

The 2023 International Masters Regatta invites twelve legendary skippers from around the world to compete in rotating J/105s on San Diego Bay. Find all the links to follow the action online via the website, photos, video, social media and more.