Thistle Midwinters West / Larry Klein Match Racing 2026

Join us in San Diego

for the 2026

Thistle Midwinters West Championship (January 29-31)

and the

Larry Klein Memorial Match Racing Championship (February 1)

At the Thistle Midwinters West Championship you will enjoy three days of Pacific Ocean racing (with stunning views of the Mission Beach Boardwalk and the San Diego Peninsula) and California-casual evenings to catch up with old friends and make new ones.  The excitement continues on Sunday with the Larry Klein Memorial Match Racing Championship.

Midwinters West is sponsored by The Sailing Inc. (powered by Evolution Sails), Downwind Marine Sailing Supply, and Cindy Gonzales / State Farm Insurance.

Gold Level Sponsor

Additional Sponsor

Trophy Sponsor

See official NOTICE OF RACE in DOCUMENTS below.

On Shore Schedule

Wednesday 

Coaching and practice races in the bay with The Sailing Inc.'s Greg Fisher

Greg is a five time Thistle National Champion and 2025 National Sailing Museum Hall of Fame Inductee.

In the evening it's Chef Georgio's world famous spaghetti fest at the Klein household in beautiful Sunset Cliffs.  Directions provided Wednesday at MBYC.

Thursday

Rules & Tactics Around the Race Course!  An interactive, fun & educational evening with Dave Perry

sponsored by

Juniors in Boating

and hosted by the Mission Bay Yacht Club

Thursday, January 29, 2026

6:30pm – 9:00pm

This will be an interactive session where Dave will go around the race course, from the starting line to the finishing line, making rules and tactical observations and answering questions from the audience. The focus will be on one-design racing but will be just as helpful for PHRF racers.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER: DAVE PERRY

Dave Perry is well known for his enthusiastic and engaging teaching style for sailors of all ages, levels and types of racing, as well as highly respected for his many accomplishments in, and deep knowledge of, the sport of Sailing. He is one of the sport’s leading coaches and rules experts, serving on the US Sailing Appeals Committee and being the Rules Advisor for several recent America’s Cup teams and the US Sailing Team at the 2008, 2012, 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games.

Dave Perry’s three books on the rules and racing will be available at the clinic for purchase & signing (cash, check or Venmo)

Understanding the Racing Rules of Sailing through 2028 -- $40

Dave Perry’s 100 Best Racing Rules Quizzes -- $25

Winning in One-Designs -- $40

Dinner will be available before the talk out of the MBYC galley at additional charge.

Friday

On your own in wonderful San Diego.

Saturday

Awards banquet at MBYC. 

Sunday

Larry Klein Memorial Match Racing Championship in Mission Bay.

Electronic Race Management

Vakaros RaceSense will be used for Thistle Midwinters West 2026.   

• Rent directly from Vakaros.com: $100/rental unit. Includes RaceSense Pass for the event.

• Bring Your Own Atlas Device: FREE - No charge for the weekend. Vakaros will waive the RaceSense Pass fee. 

Deadlines

• Rental Orders due January 14. Late fee applies after.

• Hard cut-off January 21 (locked for shipping & support) - no additional rentals available.

Mounts for RaceSense devices will be available for rental or purchase separately - see questions on the registration.

Regatta Communications

Official notices will be posted to the Notice Board on Clubspot.  When notices are posted a message will be sent to the Thistle Midwinters West Championship WhatsApp group.  We will also use WhatsApp to communicate with competitors throughout the event.

Scan this QR code or click the link to join the WhatsApp group -- https://chat.whatsapp.com/KSJTVqD2lwhKbWIwbud0IU.

Housing

There is limited housing available with the local fleet.  Email secondvp@thistleclass.com to make a request.

There are also many rentals available in Mission Bay but they fill up quickly, so check your favorite online reservation provider of short-term housing ASAP.

Entry Fees

The MWW entry fee is $425.00 on or before January 1, 2026. 

The MWW entry fee will increase to $450.00 after January 1, 2026.  

The LK Memorial entry fee is included in the MWW entry fee.  There is also an option to register only for the LK Memorial for $35 - see the Online Shop.

All entry fees include a 3% credit card transaction fee.

Entry fee includes evening meals for skipper and crew, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.  Additional banquet tickets are available for $50 per person.  Children between 4 and 13 are $20.  Children under 3 eat for free.

Registration and payment must be completed no later than January 14, 2026. 

The entry fee for skippers 26 and younger will be reimbursed by the TCA.  Please contact thirdvp@thistleclass.com to make a request.

Other Extras

Purchase t-shirts, tickets to the Dave Perry talk, and extra banquet tickets at the Shop link below.

UPF 50 Long Sleeve Performance Shirt — Royal Purple