HomeClipper Cup

2026 Lake Michigan Clipper Cup

Joint PWYC + Muskegon YC Event

2026 Clipper Cup Recap

The 40th Lake Michigan Clipper Cup delivered a fast crossing from Muskegon to Port Washington. Southerly winds made much of the race a fast reaching contest rather than an upwind battle, with the breeze easing as the fleet approached Port Washington.

Golden Child led the fleet across the finish line to take line honors. After handicap correction, AMANAKI, skippered by John Barnes, claimed the overall win with a corrected time of 6:21:40. Racing was close throughout the divisions, including just four seconds between second and third in Spinnaker 2.

Replay the Race

You can still watch the race unfold using the YB Race Viewer. Use the replay controls to speed up or slow down the action, so you can follow the fleet across Lake Michigan without watching the entire crossing in real time.

Watch the 2026 Race Replay →

2026 Clipper Cup Results

Congratulations to the top finishers in each division of the 2026 Lake Michigan Clipper Cup. Times shown are corrected times.

Overall Winner: AMANAKI
John Barnes • Spinnaker 3 • Corrected Time: 6:21:40

Spinnaker 1

1. Sociable Corrected: 7:02:49

2. Skinny Legs Corrected: 7:21:46

3. Lady K Corrected: 7:29:12

Spinnaker 2

1. Bearly Movin Corrected: 7:12:48

2. Blue Jay Corrected: 7:15:25

3. Double Dog Corrected: 7:15:29

Spinnaker 3

1. AMANAKI Corrected: 6:21:40

2. Split Personality Corrected: 6:54:55

3. Ode to Joy Corrected: 7:03:38

Cruising 1

1. Macaroon Corrected: 6:33:26

2. Voodoo Princess Corrected: 9:21:22

Cruising 2

1. Abby Marie Corrected: 7:40:03

2. Monarch Corrected: 8:57:35

Jib & Main

1. Sun King Corrected: 6:42:05

2. Ace's Dream Corrected: 6:58:03

3. Windsong Corrected: 7:23:06

View Complete Race Results →

Awards & Celebration

Saturday’s awards ceremony at Port Washington Yacht Club recognized the top finishers in each class, with photos of the winners below.

A popular part of the Clipper Cup weekend is the Port Washington Poker Run, which gives visiting crews a chance to explore downtown after the race. Teams make the rounds at participating bars and restaurants, collecting cards along the way to build a poker hand. Participating locations included Beanies Mexican Restaurant, Inventors Brewpub, Lucky Devils Bar & Grill, Moonlight Tavern, Patio Bar and Grill, Pier 6, Rascals Port, Schooner Pub and Grill, Sir James Pub, and Tello’s Grill and Cafe.

The day continued with PWYC’s Sailor Celebration in Lower Lakeview Park, featuring food, drinks and live music from The Shad Lads.

A special thank-you goes to the volunteers from both yacht clubs who helped make the 2026 Clipper Cup possible.

Muskegon Yacht Club volunteers: Cassy Marchido, Gary Marchido, Marie Chabotte, Molly Campbell, Jayne Wallace, Linda VanPortfliet, John Welch, Clark Miller, Mark Marchido and Marshall Lystra.

Port Washington Yacht Club volunteers: Janet Baguhn, Randy Baguhn, Kory Eernisse, Joseph Eernisse, Michelle Gauthier, Jay Howard, Nicole Howard, Mark Lackovic, George Milkowski, Monica Plummer, Kathy Popp-Pfleger, Rich Reichelsdorfer, Leena Suddendorf, Melissa Suddendorf, Nicholas Suddendorf, Russ Whitford, Dennis White, Amanda Williams, Brad Williams and Dean Williams.

Their work covered everything from event coordination, setup and technical support to breakfast, bartending, awards, grilling, serving, tickets and cleanup—an enormous team effort on both sides of Lake Michigan.

Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors

The Lake Michigan Clipper Cup is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. Thank you for helping make the 2026 race a success.

RACING PROGRAM

Racing Overview →Buoy Race Series →Buoy Race Results →

Clipper Cup

Rendezvous Regatta →Crew Finder →

ABOUT THE RACE

The Lake Michigan Clipper Cup is an annual, 66.9-nautical-mile, sailboat race running from Muskegon, MI, to Port Washington, WI. Known as a "race to the party," this long-running event features divisions for spinnaker, cruising, and multihull boats.

KEY DETAILS

Course: The race starts at Muskegon Yacht Club (MI) and finishes at Port Washington Yacht Club (WI).

Participants: The event is designed for a wide range of skill levels, from experienced racers to casual cruisers, often featuring tight competition based on MWPHRF ratings. Conditions: The race often features fast conditions, with recent races experiencing 15–20 knot winds.

HISTORY

Inaugurated in June 1987 (originally running from Port Washington to Muskegon), it was created by Jack

C. Rillema and Bert Smith to offer a well-scored, fun alternative to other regional races.

Festivities: The event includes a pre-race party/check-in in Muskegon and a post-race celebration with food, drinks, and live music in Port Washington.

SAFETY

The race operates under PHRF, Time on Distance scoring and requires compliance with Category 3 offshore safety regulations.