St. Petersburg, Florida is once again set to be the center of competitive sailing as the St. Petersburg Boat Of The Year Regatta 2026 series returns. Anchored by the prestigious Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta in February, the BOTY calendar at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club (SPYC) spans multiple months and divisions, attracting sailors from around the U.S. and beyond.
Recap of Last Season
The 2025 sailing season saw thrilling racing across both the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta in St. Petersburg and the SPYC Boat of the Year competition. Nearly 200 boats competed across 14 divisions, battling variable conditions that culminated in a windy and challenging final day on Tampa Bay.
SPYC Boat of the Year – 2025 Final Results
| Division | Winner | Skipper |
| Spinnaker (ORC) | Wasabi | Eric Lopez del Valle |
| Cruiser | Charisma | Tim Landt |
| Racer/Cruiser | Sprite | Charlie Archer |
The BOTY divisions reflect the wide range of boats competing in St. Petersburg:
– Spinnaker (ORC): Performance-oriented handicap boats flying spinnakers.
– Cruiser: Boats geared toward comfort and participation.
– Racer/Cruiser: Performance boats racing without spinnakers, emphasizing tactical skill.
Helly Hansen / Sailing World Regatta – St. Petersburg 2025
| Class / Division | Winner | Notes |
| Lightning | Dave Starck, Tom Starck, Becca Jordon | Large fleet, tight racing. |
| Melges 24 Midwinter | Gamecock (Peter McClennen) | Dominant with 8 of 10 race wins. |
| S2 7.9 Midwinter | K2 (Jeff Padnos) | Vintage class, tight finishes. |
| Sonar | Fawkes (Kevin Holmberg) | Strong in mixed conditions. |
| Windmill | Graffiti (Janet Huntley, Patrick Hurley) | Classic dinghy, handled big breeze. |
| Hobie 33 | Hoof Hearted (Craig & Deborah Wilusz) | Consistent early racing performance. |
| L30 North Americans | Morning Breeze (Michael & Christina Norris) | Clinched before final day. |
| A-Cat | USA 234 (Lena Weisskichel) | Foiling cat fleet reduced by heavy winds. |
The Helly Hansen regatta tested sailors with big breeze and challenging waves. Some fleets opted to sit out the final day, but those who raced delivered dramatic performances.
Upcoming Season Preview
The 2026 Boat of the Year series is expected to attract even larger fleets across its many divisions. SPYC has published a packed schedule of regattas leading up to the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta (Feb. 13–15, 2026). One-design keelboats, dinghy fleets, and handicap classes will again headline the competition.
Key Dates & Locations
| Date | Regatta | Location |
| Oct 11, 2025 | St. Pete Classic | SPYC |
| Nov 1, 2025 | MOA Regatta | SPYC |
| Nov 14-16, 2025 | College Match Race | SPYC |
| Dec 6-7, 2025 | ILCA District 13 Champs | SPYC |
| Jan 9-11, 2026 | Salt Pines Cup | SPYC |
| Jan 16-19, 2026 | USODA Team Race Midwinters | SPYC |
| Jan 31, 2026 | John Jennings Memorial | SPYC |
| Feb 7-8, 2026 | Valentine’s Day Regatta | SPYC |
| Feb 13-15, 2026 | Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta | SPYC |
