PORT ANGELES — Sailors from both the U.S. and Canada came together for a weekend of spirited racing and international camaraderie during the Hands Across the Water International Yacht Race last weekend.
Hosted jointly by the Port Angeles Yacht Club and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, the event once again showcased not only competitive sailing but the deep-rooted friendships and shared values that connect the two coastal communities.
Revived in 2024 after a long hiatus, this historic race has quickly reestablished itself as a beloved tradition. At a time when global tensions and political divisions can feel overwhelming, Hands Across the Water offers a refreshing reminder of how much we share with our neighbors to the north — not the least of which is our joy of sailing.
“Hands Across the Water is about more than just racing — it’s about friendship, trust and showing that our ties to each other run deeper than lines on a map,” Eric Mueller said.
“We share the same waters, the same winds and the same love of sailing. This race is a way to celebrate that.”
The weekend began Friday as boats sailed from the Port Angeles Yacht Club to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club in Oak Bay.
On Saturday morning, racers departed Oak Bay in a pursuit-style race back across the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Each boat’s start time was based on its Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) rating, a system that creates an exciting chase by allowing slower boats to start first and faster boats to try and catch up.
Perfect day on water
Sailing conditions couldn’t have been better — steady winds of 15 to 18 knots (17-21 miles per hour) and a favorable current meant all boats finished by 3:45 p.m., an impressive and exhilarating conclusion to the race.
The celebration continued Saturday evening at the Port Angeles Yacht Club with a lively dinner and awards ceremony sponsored by Camaraderie Cellars. Skippers and crews from both sides of the border raised a glass to a successful race and the friendships that make this event so meaningful.
Paul Eyestone aboard the Pleiades was the first to finish in the Cruising Division, while Eric Lesch aboard Malolo was first across the line in the Racing Division.
A special highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Hands Across the Water perpetual trophies, honoring the first U.S. and Canadian boats to finish.
This year, Malolo claimed the honor for the United States, while the Canadian trophy went to the crew of Mistral —a single-handed sailor accompanied only by his trusty first mate, Jeff the dog.
Before the Canadian crews cast off for home Sunday morning, sailors were treated to a hot breakfast hosted at the Port Angeles Yacht Club and sponsored by Olympic Lodge by Ayres — a warm send-off that perfectly captured the weekend’s spirit of hospitality, connection and shared adventure.
The yacht clubs said that with strong winds, smooth sailing and renewed friendships, this year’s Hands Across the Water was a shining success — and a powerful reminder that bridges built on mutual respect, open hearts and wind-filled sails are more important now than ever.
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Sports reporter/columnist Michael Carman can be contacted at sports@ peninsuladailynews.com.
