Applications open for 2025 California Dreamin' Match Race Series

California Dreamin' Match Race Series © Chris Ray

Applications are now open for match racing skippers wishing to compete in the 2025 California Dreamin' Series.

This long-standing series features events at four prominent yacht clubs on the West Coast:

• San Diego Yacht Club in J/22s on January 25-26, 2025.
• Balboa Yacht Club in Gov Cup 22s on February 15-16, 2025.
• St. Francis Yacht Club in J/22s on March 8-9, 2025.
• Long Beach Yacht Club in Catalina 37s on April 5-6, 2025.

Priority will be given to skippers opting for three of the four events, but there are often spots available to those who can only make one or two. While a skipper may win California Dreamin' Series by competing in only three events, the top skipper who also competes at Long Beach will earn a coveted invitation to the 2026 Ficker Cup, which lends their team a chance to qualify for the 2026 Grade 1 Congressional Cup.

The top skipper who also competes in Long Beach will earn an invitation to the 2026 Ficker Cup and a chance to qualify for the 2026 Congressional Cup.

The California Dreamin' Series are traditionally the nation's first match racing regattas of the year and serve an important role in the development of up-and-coming match racers, with several past competitors having moved on to national competition.

"California Dreamin' Series has incubated scores of skippers and crew into this specialized game," said Bruce Stone, California Dreamin' Series committee member. "The event is also much sought after by race committee volunteers and umpires as the action is non-stop and everyone involved must be focused to complete a full-round-robin each day—with eight teams competing, that's 28 matches each day, weather permitting."