With boats rolling over blazing gold-sheeted waters, Monday, Aug. 20 marked the last race of the Ballard Cup series. Over fifty boats crowded the course in front of Shilshole Marina, with racers divided into six fleets based on their size, model and number of sails (i.e. flying spinnaker or not). Points were tallied based on time and calculated for a corrected total for handicap using the PHRF rating. Total points were accumulated from the past five races.

Under a crimson hued sunset, the racers finished. At the Sloop Tavern, crews crowded the entire space of the alehouse and waited in anticipation as scores were calculated. Using a loud speaker, Sloop Tavern Yatch Club (STYC) officials announced the winners.

Celebrated victors from each fleet were Water Street (helmed by Mark Jackson), Rock Lobster (helmed by Trent Piepho), Perfectly Strange (helmed by Paul Kalina), Airloom (helmed by Tim Morgenroth), Here & Now (helmed by Pat Denney), and Delirium (helmed by Jerry Diercks).

Prizes for winners of the Ballard Cup were glass STYC “slooper” mugs/ trophies, stickers and bragging rights until next year.

Paul Ramsey of the Airloom crew said racing conditions were ideal.

“It was breezy and perfect for midsummer sailing -- slow to start but built up to a nice sixteen knots, and of course we had the spectacular sunset,” said Ramsey.

Although the Ballard Cup is over, there are still many racing opportunities still to come. The J & J (AKA Seattle Jack and Jill series) race occurs Saturday, Sept. 8 and consists of a one- or two-handed race on the course designated by the STYC off Shilshole Marina. There is also the Fall Regatta and Race Your House scheduled for October.

Moreover, STYC is hosting the second annual Pink Boat Regatta Sept. 9, benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

On the STYC web site, Commodore Tim Morgenroth said, “This exciting and worthwhile new-to-the-NW event will test our commitment and support for breast cancer research, as well as our skills at having fun. The event reflects a creative and unique collaboration between STYC, and the recently formed Pinkboat.org.”

The Pink Boat is an actual pink boat called Darwind and is owned by Thomas Watson of San Francisco. Watson Founded Pink Boat, INC. in order to raise one million dollars for breast cancer research. In conjunction with the Pink Boat Regatta, Watson plans on sailing around the world, leaving San Francisco in October of 2013, heading southwest toward the Galapagos Islands. The trip is expected to take around ten months and spans twenty-five thousand miles. If the voyage is completed, Darwind, a 28.5 foot Pearson Triton sailboat, would be the smallest boat to make the voyage and would be a world record.

Watson organized the first Pink Regatta last year in San Francisco. This year’s race consists of a fixed three hour time period where boats gain points for rounding designated markers. Total corrected scores will be determined using rating systems that gauge the size and speed of the boats. As part of the fundraiser and fun, additional rounding marks or “buoys” can be bought to improve crew’s scores. Crewmembers and spectators alike are encouraged to buy “buoys” for the fundraiser.

Aside from racing there will be live music by Gertrude’s Hearse and Skillet Street Food. For information on regatta rules and registration, donating, and spectator seating visit http://www.styc.org/ or contact sailpink@thepinkboat.org

For a photo slideshow of the last race, click on the picture above.