Remembering Don Trask in San Diego

The International Masters Regatta has been officially renamed the Don Trask International Masters Regatta when it commences in 2025 on October 17-19 in San Diego, CA. Trask, who passed away on September 29, 2025, founded the event at St. Francis Yacht Club in 1979 as a tribute to Master-level skippers who had made a name for themselves in the sport.

In its early days on San Francisco Bay, the regatta was held in J/24s and then eventually changed to J/105s. After a pause, the regatta commenced again when moved to San Diego Yacht Club in 2012, thanks largely to the efforts of Malin Burnham and with Trask’s blessings, competing in the event 6 more times.

“Don loved to sail and loved to win, but most important to him were the friendships,” said longtime crew Bill Kreysler. “Don reminded us that sailing is about sharing a sport we love with the friends we’ve made along the way.”

In its 42nd year, the invitation-only regatta has 12 skippers from Canada, Germany, and the United States to compete for the title using SDYC member-loaned J/105s in a round-robin format in San Diego Bay.

“Past champions from different classes, unique regions, or countries are invited to race here in San Diego,” explained event chair Dave Vieregg. “Entry is by invitation to skippers who are 60+, sailing with crew who are 45+. The ages make the event unique but their significant accomplishments in racing as well as the shared camaraderie make this event extra special.”

In 2025, there are several returning skippers including defending champion Scott Harris from Coronado Yacht Club. “I enjoy sailing with old friends, like Chuck Sinks, and hanging out with all the characters. I grew up sailing against Chris Raab in Lasers and college sailing, so that will be fun. Everyone loves to rib Raab. We sailed against Wolfgang Schaeffer’s Struntje in the Crocodile Rock Farr 40 days over 20 years ago. There are a lot of good sailors this year. John Dane is the boat to beat.”

Dane from Pass Christian Yacht Club in Mississippi is a seasoned sailor with many regatta wins under his belt, including the 2024 Etchells North American Championship. This will be Dane’s first time competing in the event and racing J/105s.

“I have zero experience in a J/105, however, I have raced big boats quite often in my career,” said Dane. “My first thought was to ask both Bill Hardesty and Eric Doyle to sail with me since we have been sailing together for over a year in the Etchells. Then I asked them to fill out the roster since they both were familiar with the boats and the sailing venue.”

Dane, Doyle, and Hardesty will add Al Pleskus, Regina Gleason, and Andy La Dow to round out their crew.

“Of the 11 other teams competing, I have raced against five other helmsmen in either an Etchells, Finn, or Viper. It will certainly be a competitive group to race against and I am happy to be able to sail this year after not being able to make the regatta the last few times I was invited.”

Cory Sertl, Vice President of World Sailing, returns as the sole female skipper after finishing 3rd in 2023. “We are looking forward to coming back. It is a fun format and San Diego Yacht Club goes all out to welcome all the teams!”

Details: https://masters.sdyc.org/