On Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, around 30 sailboats racing in the Duwamish Head Race from Des Moines to West Seattle and back brightened up a rather dreary, gray day.
The race began at the Des Moines Marina, and covered a 31-mile course to Seattle, Bainbridge Island, and back to Des Moines.
This regatta is the second in a four-part series hosted by various yacht clubs in the region – including the Three Tree Point Yacht Club – continuing a tradition that has spanned over 40 years.
Results of Saturday’s regatta will be posted here.
Photos
Below are some photos of the sail-by, as shot by Scott Schaefer (click arrows or swipe images to view slideshow):
About 45 minutes before the sailboats passed, a Washington State Ferry did, heading north from Tacoma. Colorful sails brightened up a dreary Saturday. Unlike a traditional boat race, there is little to no sound during a sailboat regatta. A bird sails past as sailboats raced in the shipping lane. Mists of fog made for a dramatic backdrop. This smaller sailboat was the leader of the pack as the fleet passed Three Tree Point One of the top three sailboats as it passes Three Tree Point. Fans watched from Three Tree Point’s South Beach. Fans watched from Three Tree Point’s South Beach. A panorama of the ~30 or so sailboats competing.
Thank you! That lead boat is Emerald Lady out of Port Orchard, a 1977 Catalina 27, the slowest rated boat in the fleet. We got really lucky finding a wind seam at the start!