Applications Open for the 2025 California Dreamin’ Series
by Long Beach Yacht Club, November 22, 16:37 PST
California Dreamin’ Series © Long Beach Yacht Club
Match racing skippers interested in the 2025 California Dreamin’ Series can now submit their applications. This established series includes competitions hosted by four key clubs on the West Coast, starting with San Diego YC in J/22s on January 25-26, followed by Balboa YC in GovCup 22s on February 15-16, St. Francis YC in J/22s on March 8-9, and concluding with the regatta at Long Beach YC in Catalina 37s on April 5-6. For further details, refer to the Notice of Series.
Skippers can request invitations to specific events by completing the Request for Invitation. The Organizing Authority’s Invitation Committee will assess requests received by December 1, 2024, and will begin sending invitations until each event reaches capacity.
Those skippers applying for three out of the four events will be prioritized, though there may still be openings for those who can participate in only one or two. While it’s possible for a skipper to win the CDS by entering just the first three events, the overall champion who also races at Long Beach will receive an exclusive invitation to the 2026 Ficker Cup, which provides their team with an opportunity to qualify for the 2026 Grade 1 Congressional Cup.
Typically, California Dreamin’ Series events are among the first match racing regattas in the nation for the year, playing a crucial role in nurturing emerging match racers, many of whom have progressed to national levels. As noted by CDS Committee Member Bruce Stone, “CDS has fostered numerous skippers and crew within this specialized format, enhancing everyone’s skills for standard fleet racing. This event is also highly regarded by race committee volunteers and umpires due to the continuous action, requiring full concentration from all involved to complete a full round-robin each day. With 8 teams competing, this means 28 matches on Saturday and an equal number on Sunday, weather permitting. The clubs offer excellent viewpoints for watching the races.”
