53rd Annual Dillon Open Regatta
Aug 23 to Aug 25
Dillon Marina
The Dillon Open is Colorado's largest sailing regatta in Summit County at the highest elevation in the US. Hosted by the Dillon Yacht Club, this year’s event will take place August 23 - 25, with races on Saturday and Sunday. Spectator boats are available and there will be entertainment onshore that will be open to the public. The Dillon Open, known for its superior race management and challenging sailing conditions, draws 60+ boats competitive boats on the waters of Lake Dillon.
The Dillon Yacht Club (DYC), founded in 1968, is the World's highest yacht club at 9,017 feet above sea level. The Dillon Open Regatta is one of the most unique sailing regattas in the world and draws amateur and professional sailors from all over to compete in the challenging conditions of Lake Dillon. The highly competitive nature of the regatta hosts several fleets of one-design keelboats which include J24’s, J22’s, Etchells, Melges 24’s, J80’s, Ensigns, Stars, Catalina 22’s and Santana 20’s. The main body of the lake will have a course set up for the 60+ one-design keel boats.
A portion of proceeds from the Dillon Open Regatta will be donated to the Dillon Yacht Club Junior Sailing Program (DYCJSP). The junior program is a non-profit organization that provides weekly sailing camps for kids 10-18 years old of all abilities from Summit County, the Western slope and along the Front-Range. Proceeds from the Dillon Open Regatta have allowed the DYC Junior Sailing Program to increase their operations with the purchase of a new building, new boats, new dock, the flexibility to hire top youth instructors, and to fund scholarships for financially disadvantaged area youth.
In addition to the competitive sailing, the Santana National Championship Regatta will add an extra day of competitive racing with participating teams from all over the country. One of the Santana 20 competitor’s is Andrew Kerr. Kerr is a highly respected and sought after sailing coach as well as a 29- time Class and North American champion in multiple sailing classes and more. “Hitch up your trailer and bring your team for a sailing championship to remember with a full slate of top-notch sailboat racing” stated Kerr.
This year’s 53rd annual regatta will bring a diversified weekend of events such as competitive sailing, spectator boat rides, a Friday night “social affair” for competitors, a regatta breakfast for racers and a Saturday night regatta dinner and dancing party afterward. The community is invited to join in on all the fun. Further information about the 2024 Dillon Open is available at www.dillonopen.com.
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