2026 Elvstrom-Zellerbach Regatta Report
Alan Sun
2026 Elvstrom-Zellerbach Regatta: Carnage, Champagne, and Storied Trophies
May 16-17, 2026
The 2026 Elvstrom-Zellerbach Regatta on San Francisco Bay served up two days of excellent racing with one day a bit spicier than the other.
Saturday: The Bay Means Business
We launched into the weekend with sunny skies, wind in the low teens, and a building ebb, polite enough to suggest civility. It was not.
By Race 3, the breeze was pushing into the low twenties causing breakdowns and more than a few centerboards to get a glimpse of the sky. Ian Adamson (ILCA 6) and Joby Overton (ILCA 7) were off to a fast start, each taking two bullets when conditions were at their most punishing. One other observation: for a combined ILCA 6 and 7 fleet on the cityfront, there was a remarkable amount of room along the start line. Bueller... Bueller...
Sunday: The Bay Apologizes (Sort Of)
Forecasters promised more brutality. Instead, the Bay served up champagne — low-to-mid teens and plenty of shifts to create passing lanes. Close racing ensued.
In the ILCA 6s, David LaPier's early wins and Alan Sun's consistency kept the pressure on all day. It came down to Race 6 with the trophy up for grabs. Ian Adamson found the edge, sealed the win, and etched his name on the Zellerbach trophy alongside world-class company.
ILCA 6 Final Podium:
- Ian Adamson
- Alan Sun
- David LaPier
In the ILCA 7s, Joby sat out Sunday and Joshua Gutow walked right through the open door with straight bullets on Day 2 and the overall win, his name going on the Elvstrom trophy.
Kudos to Riley and Cullen for battling aggressive conditions, gear failure, and 420 traffic throughout the weekend to round out the podium.
ILCA 7 Final Podium:
- Joshua Gutow
- Riley Shear
- Cullen Rushing
Thanks to the St. Francis Yacht Club race committee for getting six races off for very different fleets across challenging conditions. See you on the water.
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