Race Week Pacific Northwest on for 2021

Whidbey Island Race Week LLC, the organizing authority of Whidbey Island Race Week and Point Roberts Race Week, has found a new venue beginning in 2021: Anacortes, Washington. Located on the north end of Fidalgo Island, Anacortes will host the 5-day event on June 21-25 from the Port of Anacortes Cap Sante Marina.

But what happened to Point Roberts? In March of 2019, it was announced that after a 37-year run in Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, the facilities no longer fulfilled the needs of the event, with the Washington state event shifting north to Point Roberts in 2020.

A title sponsor signed a 3-year contract, Whidbey Island Race Week was rebranded as Point Roberts Race Week, and an active advertising and marketing campaign went into effect that included the production of a promotional video to build fleet interest.

The ball was clearly rolling but in March 2020, the global pandemic hit and Point Roberts Race Week had to be cancelled as did most big events around the world. The Canadian border closure combined with social distancing mandates enacted by federal, state, and local governments were too much to overcome.

Following the cancellation of the 2020 event, the ownership of the Point Roberts Marina opted not to honor their contract terms that had been signed in 2019, and consequently, a contract dissolvement ensued. Once this legal process was complete, Whidbey Island Race Week LLC began the search for a new venue which led to Anacortes.

The 2021 event will be rebranded “Race Week Pacific Northwest” until a new title sponsor is found. Sponsor procurement for Race Week PNW will begin immediately, with a sponsorship terms that deliver exposure from January 1 through June 30 each year.

“Anacortes offers excellent racing areas, ample guest moorage in the Cap Sante Marina to accommodate the fleet, and shoreside amenities, including restaurants, grocery stores, and an RV campground all within walking distance from the marina,” explains Event Producer Schelleen Rathkopf. “We are really looking forward to bringing new business revenue to the city, and getting to know the entire community of Anacortes.

“We’re confident that we can achieve COVID-19 safety requirements on the water while racing, and on the docks at the end of each race day. We are going to wait to make any decisions about post-race festivities, and the inclusion of the popular Kids Camp program until next Spring, when we’re closer to the event and have a handle on what reopening phase the state and county are in.”

Race Week 2021 registration will open January: www.RaceWeekPNW.com.