Southern Crossing

July 19, 2025

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!