HomeClipper Cup

2026 Lake Michigan Clipper Cup

Joint PWYC + Muskegon YC Event

EVENT SCHEDULE

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40TH RUNNING - MUSKEGON TO PORT WASHINGTON

The annual Clipper Cup race is administered jointly by Muskegon Yacht Club in Muskegon, Michigan and Port Washington Yacht Club in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

The start is off of the Muskegon, Michigan pierheads on Lake Michigan's east side with the finish in Port Washington, Wisconsin on the lake's west side for a distance of 66.9 miles.

2026 Date:

August 7, 2026

Muskegon, Michigan to Port Washington, Wisconsin. Watch this site for more information including notice of race, information, updates and either downloadable or online entry forms.

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.

CLIPPER CUP RECAP

2025 Clipper Cup Race

The 2025 Clipper Cup delivered exactly the kind of sailing Lake Michigan racers hope for—steady breeze, lively waves, and a fast ride across the lake. A fleet of 35 boats departed Muskegon for the 66.9-mile crossing to Port Washington, settling into a strong breeze that kept crews working and boats moving all the way across the lake.

Conditions on Lake Michigan were solid for offshore racing. Winds generally ranged in the mid-teens with stronger gusts, kicking up a 2–4 ft chop mid-lake. Once crews settled into the rhythm of the crossing, the breeze delivered fast sailing for much of the fleet. Many boats found themselves charging along on a reach, the point of sail where these boats really stretch their legs. The boats that found the best breeze mid-lake were rewarded with impressive speeds and a quicker ride toward Port Washington.

Congratulations to all competitors, and thank you to the volunteers and race committees from both Muskegon Yacht Club and Port Washington Yacht Club who make the Clipper Cup possible each year.

Race Results View 2025 YB Race Tracking