SEATTLE, Washington, October 28, 2020 - Whidbey Island Race Week LLC, the organizing authority of Whidbey Island Race Week and Point Roberts Race Week announces a new venue beginning in 2021: Anacortes, Washington. Anacortes is located on the north end of Fidalgo Island in Washington State, and will be the new venue for the 5-day sailboat racing event beginning in 2021. The dates will be June 21-25, 2021 and the event will take place from the Port of Anacortes Cap Sante Marina.
“The Port of Anacortes is excited about hosting Race Week in 2021 at Cap Sante Marina! Race Week has nearly four decades of history in our area as Whidbey Island Race Week, and this partnership offers strong support for our local economy, while highlighting what a great boating community we have in Anacortes. On behalf of the entire Commission, I welcome you to Anacortes.” Ken Goodwin, Port Commissioner, Port of Anacortes.
“During these unusual and challenging times, we are thrilled to bring another great event to Cap Sante Marina. We are committed to safely providing the venue for a world-class regional sailing event. Race Week will spur our local economy and further defines the maritime excellence of our community.” Dan Worra, Executive Director, Port of Anacortes.
What happened to Point Roberts?
In March of 2019, it was announced that the event would change venues to Point Roberts, Washington beginning in 2020, after a 37-year run in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Washington. A title sponsor was procured through the Point Roberts Marina, owned by Chen Yihong, of DX Sport (China Dongxiang Group Co., Ltd), who signed a 3-year Title Sponsorship contract. Whidbey Island Race Week was rebranded as Point Roberts Race Week, and an active advertising and marketing campaign went into effect that included the production of a promotional video to build fleet interest. Point Roberts Race Week 2020 was set to host the 6 Metre North American Championships, and the Corsair Nationals. Additionally, it was chosen to present the coveted Pacific Coast Yachting Association’s Jesse L. Carr Perpetual Captain and Crew Trophy at the event which was due to take place July 13-17, 2020.
But in March 2020, the COVID-19 global pandemic hit, and Point Roberts Race Week had to be cancelled as did most big events around the world. Border closures combined with social distancing mandates enacted by federal, state, and local governments prevented the event from taking place. Point Roberts is an enclave located in Washington state, but to get there from the USA, requires two border crossings and the borders have been closed since April 2020, and are still closed to this day.
Following the cancellation of the 2020 event, the ownership of the Point Roberts Marina made the decision to not honor the 3-year Title Sponsorship contract terms that had been signed in 2019, and consequently, a contract dissolvement ensued. Once this legal process was complete, Whidbey Island Race Week LLC began the search for a new venue for the event.
Race Week’s new home: Anacortes, Washington
The 2021 event will be rebranded “Race Week Pacific Northwest” until a new title sponsor is found. Sponsor procurement for Race Week PNW will begin immediately, with a sponsorship terms that deliver exposure from January 1 through June 30 each year.
“Anacortes offers excellent racing areas, ample guest moorage in the Cap Sante Marina to accommodate the fleet, and shoreside amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and an RV campground all within walking distance from the marina,” explains Event Producer Schelleen Rathkopf. “We are really looking forward to bringing new business revenue to the city, and getting to know the entire community of Anacortes.”
The Race Management Team includes Schelleen Rathkopf, Event Producer, John Abel, Principal Race Officer, Paul Evenden, Race Officer, and Jared Hickman, Chief Judge. The regatta is currently open to keelboats and multihulls 19’+ racing PHRF, ORC, or in a (NFS) Cruising Class, but a dinghy component may be considered.
COVID-19
Race Week will work with the Port of Anacortes to be in full compliance with any national, state, or city COVID-19 requirements and social distancing mandates that are in place in the Summer of 2021 to prevent the spread of the virus. “We’re confident that we can achieve COVID-19 safety requirements on the water while racing, and on the docks at the end of each race day,” adds Rathkopf. “We are going to wait to make any decisions about post-race festivities, and the inclusion of the popular Kids Camp program until next Spring, when we’re closer to the event and have a handle on what reopening phase the state and county are in.”
Event Registration
Race Week 2021 registration will open on January 1, 2021 and registration details, including the Notice of Race (NOR) will be found on the Race Week website www.RaceWeekPNW.com. Event participants will make their guest moorage and RV camping arrangements directly with the Cap Sante Harbormaster’s office, operated by the Port of Anacortes.
About the Port of Anacortes
In partnership with public agencies and private business, the mission of the Port of Anacortes is to develop and manage facilities and services which stimulate private job creation and commerce, while protecting the quality of life, needs and desires of area residents. With one of eight natural deep-water marine terminal facilities in Puget Sound, its nearly 1,000 slip marina, and its roughly 80 acres of commercial properties, the Port is instrumental to the success and economic development of the community hosting over 1,100 jobs on Port property. The port is governed by five elected Commissioners, each representing their own district, including Fidalgo, Guemes, Sinclair, Cypress and Samish Islands, Shelter Bay and Bayview.
About Race Week
Whidbey Island Race Week LLC is an organization member of US Sailing and the Burgee Program by the Gowrie Group. The mission of Race Week is to grow the sport of sailboat racing in the region by providing the most qualified race management team in a venue that can offer compelling buoy and distance racing possibilities.
