Latest News
2026 Thunderbird International Regatta
Registration and NOR for the 2026 Thunderbird Class championships is now online. We anticipate a very exciting and competitive regatta. Another loaner boat can be available…The Boston Fleet 5 and the Savin Hill YC welcomes all sailors.
Hosted by Savin Hill Yacht Club – Dorchester, Massachusetts, USA
Dates: Wednesday, July 29, 2026 – Sunday, August 2, 2026
2025 Pacific Northwest Regional Regatta
The Pacific Northwest held their 2025 Thunderbird Regional Regatta in Port Townsend during the Labor Day Weekend. Port Townsend Sailing Association once again hosted a fun and competitive sailing event with 10 boats competing, from Gig Harbor, Seattle, and Port Townsend. While the conditions were light, PRO Eric Rimkus did a masterful job of finding fair race conditions and 5 races were held. Day 1 included 2 races, held off the Point Hudson Marina in very light conditions. The first start began in light conditions that dwindled to nothing before the first leg was completed. This stopped the entire fleet, [...]
Accidentally discovering the carver of the Thunderbird International Race Trophy
Here's a great article from the Gig Harbor History Museum about the International Regatta Trophy. Synopsis: The piece tells the story of how the long-unknown creator of the Thunderbird International Race Trophy was finally identified through archival research. The trophy—an intricately carved wooden thunderbird in Northwest Coast Indigenous style—has been awarded to winners of the Thunderbird class world championship since 1966 and is now housed at the Harbor History Museum. For decades, the identity of the carver was a mystery. Despite efforts by enthusiasts and museum staff, only weak leads (including speculation about well-known carvers like Tony Hunt Sr. or [...]
2025 Northwest Championship Regatta – August 30th & 31st
Will be held in Port Townsend. See the regatta page on Regatta Network for more info. Everybody's welcome.
TBIRD West Coast Regional Regatta 2024
Ten Thunderbirds joined in for eight races over two days in Port Townsend. Conditions were great with moderate, consistent winds. Corvo dominated the field with six wins and two seconds. Congratulations to Steve, Piper, Jeff and John. Ken Lane (Roadrunner) picked up second place. And Dale Dunning (Owl) came in third. It was a fine weekend of racing. Many thanks to Roland Nikles who made the whole thing happen. Click this link to see photos and a video on the Port Townsend Sailing Association web site.
2023 International Regatta Results
The 2023 Thunderbird International Regatta went off without a hitch. Good wind and weather, and a bunch of good sailors, made for a fun, competitive and exciting event. Regatta Network site for the event
TBird Racing Videos
Dale Dunning from Fleet 33 in Port Townsend has done a series of videos from his boat Owl using a 360 camera and has posted them on YouTube. They include some pretty good commentary, and music too.
West Coast Championship Regatta – Sept 4-5, 2022 – Results
Nine races were completed over two days. Day one saw light but steady winds from the SE and the race committee was able to pull off five races. On day two the winds were much stronger (15-20 kts.) The first two or three race saw mostly jibs being used, but most boats has switched to their genoas by the end of racing. The after party/dinner/awards ceremony on the Port Townsend waterfront was enjoyed by all. Regatta Results 2022
Raven Wins 2019 Internationals
Team Raven from Port Townsend, sailing a loaner boat (Atomic Salsa), took three first place finishes on the last day of racing to win the 2019 Thunderbird International Championship Regatta in Boston. Congratulations to Steve Scharf, Jon Piskula, Simon Miles, Jeff Brantley, and Angie Brantley! To see the official results please visit the regatta web site.