52nd Governor’s Cup Yacht Race Returns To St. Mary’s College Of Maryland

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — The 52nd Annual Governor’s Cup Yacht Race, recognized as the oldest and longest-running overnight sailboat race on the Chesapeake Bay, will take place Aug. 1–2, 2025, hosted by St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

The race offers sailors, alumni, and visitors a one-of-a-kind summer tradition. Participants sail overnight from Annapolis to the college’s waterfront in historic St. Mary’s City, where shoreside celebrations await.

A Tradition Since 1974

The Governor’s Cup Yacht Race was launched in 1974 by then-President J. Renwick Jackson and St. Mary’s College student sailors Dale Rausch, Pete Sarelas, and Russ Baker. What began as a student-led voyage from the current capital in Annapolis to the historic capital in St. Mary’s City has grown into the Chesapeake Bay’s longest-running overnight yacht race.

Experience the Race and Celebration

Experience the Bay’s most storied overnight sailboat race by joining the competition—or simply enjoying the post-race festivities along the shore.

The race begins at Bert Jabin’s Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Md., with a scheduled start time of 3 p.m. EDT on Friday, Aug. 1. Yachts will make the overnight journey south along the Bay to the St. Mary’s College waterfront.

The community is invited to gather at the waterfront on Saturday to welcome this year’s finishers. Shoreside celebrations will feature live music, food trucks from across Southern Maryland, and a cash bar. Festivities will continue into the evening as the final boats arrive.

For more information, visit the St. Mary’s College of Maryland event page.

See what the excitement looked like last year — view the 2024 Governor’s Cup photo album here, courtesy of The National Public Honors College.

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