Sail Week Tahoe 2025 Recap

By Ashley Farr & Eric Villadsen | July 2025

Summary

Sail Week Tahoe 2025 was nothing short of spectacular! From thrilling regattas to unforgettable socials, SLTWYC was proud to welcome a fleet of visiting boats and share in the camaraderie of this weeklong celebration. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of our incredible volunteers. Thank you for helping bring each moment to life!

This series of standout events was made possible by the passion and generosity of our members. A special tip of the cap to our Rear Commodore, Eric Villadsen, whose vision and leadership brought the week to life. Inspired by a 1988 Sail Week Tahoe poster, he transformed a nostalgic idea into a vibrant, modern tradition we were all lucky to be part of! Read on for a detailed recap of Sail Week Tahoe 2025!

Trans Tahoe

We kicked off the week with a classic: the Trans Tahoe Regatta, hosted by Tahoe Yacht Club. SLTWYC was proudly represented by three boats in Division 2: New Wave, Hot Sheet, and BOB. 

Trans Tahoe was a ton of fun this year, although the wind decided to wait until about 4pm every day to fill in. This left plenty of time to jump in with the crew and enjoy the north shore scenery. When the breeze did fill in we had some tight racing amongst the five Express 27s participating in Division 2 with the lead boat constantly changing hands until the very end. 

After two days of competitive racing, congratulations are in order for Eric, Ashley, and the entire New Wave crew for securing third place in Division2!

Shore to Shore

Next up was the inaugural Shore-to-Shore Race, because nothing says fun like sailing the length of Lake Tahoe! SLTWYC boats were joined by visiting contenders Bombora and Osprey for this dash from north to south shore. Due to our 4pm delayed breeze we opted to start the race near Eagle Rock to give the fleet a head start and hopefully finish before dark. Like clockwork, the westerly filled and the fleet was off.

Unfortunately, we ran out of breeze just past Emerald Bay, which made for a fun swim amongst the competitors. Eventually a light and confusing breeze allowed for a few of the Express 27s to eek across the finish line, with New Wave in the lead. Big thanks to our Race Committee Steve Katzman, who welcomed us home as he held down the finish line just outside the Tahoe Keys.

Wednesday Beer Can & Backyard BBQ

Wednesday, July 16, served up a Beer Can to beat all Beer Cans, because midweek racing deserves a little extra sparkle during Sail Week. Huge thanks to Sam Corso, who not only captained the Fire Boat but also wore the PRO hat for the evening (multi-tasking at its finest). He was joined by Georgette Hartley, Sandy Weitz, Jerry McNaboe, and local shutterbug Charlie Dickie, who captured the action-packed evening with lens and flair.

Division 1 (cruising PHRF) followed the classic Beer Can route, while Division 2 (racing PHRF) doubled the fun with two buoy races. The Race Committee set a beautiful windward/leeward course that had sailors jockeying for every inch. Bragging rights, after all, are serious business.

Post-race, the crew dropped sails and grabbed plates at a backyard BBQ hosted by our very own Ross Groelz. Burgers were flipped, brats were grilled, and cold drinks flowed freely. Big congrats to Lovin’ Life for taking top honors in Division 1, and to Eagle for a well-earned victory in Division 2!

Southern Crossing

Saturday, 7/19, brought the infamous Southern Crossing Regatta, a 25-mile endurance test disguised as a sailboat race. We started the day off with a competitor’s meeting hosted by a local South Lake coffee shop. Competitors enjoyed local made coffee from Gathered and Grown Home and bagels from Tahoe Bagel Company. Caffeinated and satiated, competitors were ready for the grueling day ahead.

Equal parts strategy, stamina, and stubborn optimism, this South Shore classic is not for the faint of heart. This year, five visiting boats joined the starting line, adding even more heat to the competition. Thanks to the solid turnout, our PRO, Mike Simmons, was able to launch three lively divisions: Division 1 (asymmetric PHRF), Division 2 (Express 27s), and Division 3 (symmetric PHRF). It was a long, tactical grind, with lead changes at every rounding and no shortage of shifty alpine sailing conditions.

Our competitors weren’t the only ones showing grit during the Southern Crossing Regatta. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated volunteers who spent over nine hours on the water serving as Race Committee: Jerry McNaboe, Lesley Bosch, and Craig Fergusen. Special thanks to Craig who not only helped run the race but also captured some truly stunning shots throughout the day!

Congratulations to all of the competitors and winning boats! PHRF ratings were used for the race, resulting in the overall Southern Crossing winners: Dianne, Bombora, and Eagle.

Dockside Dapper Sunday Brunch

That brings us to the final event of Sail Week Tahoe 2025: the Dockside Dapper Sunday Brunch at Steamers Bar & Grill. This Signature Social pulled triple duty as our General Membership Meeting and the official Sail Week Tahoe Awards ceremony. The vibes? Impeccable. Live music, lush florals, breakfast tacos, and a build-your-own Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar set the perfect tone for a celebratory close to an incredible week.

During brunch, we proudly inducted two new members into the club before revealing the hard-fought results of the Southern Crossing Regatta. 

A huge thank you to Joelle Treanor, Laura Fichet, Jen Frasier, and Dale Herman for showing up early and transforming Steamers’ backyard into a proper brunch paradise! Your attention to detail and helping hands brought the event to life.

As Sail Week Tahoe 2025 comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead. Stay tuned for more racing, more socials, and more memories on the horizon; August is packed with more fun! We can’t wait to see you back on the water or at the next social soon!