Two-day regatta April 25–26 brings top sailors, family competition and season-opening action to local waters
One of the region’s most enduring and celebrated sporting traditions returns to the water later this month as the 59th annual Camellia Cup Regatta takes over Folsom Lake on April 25 and 26.
Hosted by the Folsom Lake Yacht Club, the Camellia Cup is widely regarded as one of the major regattas of the sailing season, drawing competitors from across California and neighboring states for a weekend of high-level racing at Brown’s Ravine. Now entering its sixth decade, the event continues to serve as the traditional kickoff to Northern California’s boating season.
Racing headquarters will once again be based at the Folsom Lake Marina at Brown’s Ravine, where sailors, crews and spectators will gather for two days of competition that blend technical skill, strategy and long-standing community tradition.
The regatta follows a structured multi-race format designed to test consistency and performance across varying lake conditions. Up to five races are scheduled over the weekend, with three expected on Saturday and two on Sunday. The Low Point Scoring System will be used, meaning competitors accumulate points based on their finishes, with the lowest total determining the winner. At least two races must be completed to constitute an official regatta, and if all five races are sailed, teams are allowed to discard their worst finish, adding another layer of strategy to the competition.
Action begins Saturday morning with final check-in and a skipper’s meeting before the first races get underway late morning. Racing continues through the afternoon, followed by a traditional after-race social gathering that brings competitors and families together. Sunday’s racing resumes mid-morning, with the final races of the weekend leading directly into the awards presentation once competition concludes.
The Camellia Cup is an open regatta, welcoming both established FLYC fleets and visiting sailors from other yacht clubs, further expanding the competitive field. Boats across a wide range of classes are expected, including Santana 20s, Catalina 22s, Day Sailers, Lido 14s, Coronado 15s, Thistles, Banshees, Lasers, RS Aeros, multihull vessels and open-class entries. Keelboats are grouped using performance-based ratings, while centerboard and multihull boats are scored using standardized handicap systems, ensuring fair competition across varying boat designs.
Beyond the racing itself, the Camellia Cup is known for its unique blend of competition and community. Saturday evening’s post-race gathering offers food, refreshments and a relaxed setting for sailors and spectators to connect, while raffles and informal celebrations help support future club activities. For many participants, the regatta is as much about tradition and camaraderie as it is about results on the water.
Last year’s 58th running of the Camellia Cup delivered one of the most memorable storylines in event history, highlighted by a breakthrough performance from one of its youngest competitors. At just 8 years old, Loic Reynolds captured the Open Centerboard Class title while skippering a Vanguard Nomad 17, becoming the youngest skipper to win a class in the regatta’s history. Demonstrating poise beyond his years, Reynolds confidently navigated a competitive fleet while working alongside his family crew.
That same family dynamic proved decisive during the race, as his sister Elodie played a key role in identifying a course correction that helped secure the victory — a moment that underscored the teamwork and split-second decision-making that define the sport.
While the Reynolds family highlighted the next generation of sailors, the overall Camellia Cup championship last year belonged to a veteran local crew. Orangevale’s David Samson, sailing alongside his sons Marcus and Matt aboard their Catalina 22 “Slo Mo,” captured the regatta’s top honor along with the Keelboat Perpetual Trophy. The victory marked a long-awaited milestone for the family, which has competed in the event for years, continuing a tradition passed down through generations.
Samson returns this year as the defending overall Camellia Cup champion, adding another layer of competition to a field that consistently features both rising talent and seasoned veterans.
Across the fleet, last year’s regatta crowned champions in multiple divisions, including Banshee, Laser, multihull and spinnaker classes, along with the event’s distinctive model yacht competition. The model yacht division remains one of the Camellia Cup’s most unique features, where radio-controlled boats compete in a series of tightly contested heats, showcasing a different form of precision sailing that complements the full-scale racing on the lake.
As the 59th edition approaches, organizers expect another strong turnout and competitive racing conditions, continuing a legacy that has made the Camellia Cup a fixture on the regional sailing calendar for nearly six decades.
The event is free for spectators to watch from shoreline areas throughout Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, though standard state park entry fees apply. Competitors are encouraged to pre-register online through the Folsom Lake Yacht Club, with registration also available leading into the weekend.
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