Every Veteran Deserves a Crew
Valhalla Sailing Project is built around a simple idea: every veteran deserves to be part of a crew again.
Sailboat racing creates something powerful. It requires teamwork, communication, trust, responsibility, and commitment. Every person has a role. Every role matters. The boat only performs when the crew works together.
For many veterans, that experience feels familiar. The structure, the mission, and the reliance on teammates create a sense of belonging that can be difficult to find after service.
Through training, practice, and competition, veterans learn the boat, build confidence, and become part of a real racing crew.
During the 2025 season Valhalla Sailing Project competed in regattas and regional racing events, culminating in the J/30 North American Championship in New Orleans, where the team finished third overall.
We race to compete, to grow, and to show what a committed crew can accomplish together.
Local Annapolis Racing
Much of our training and crew development happens in the active Annapolis racing community. These weeknight and weekend events give veterans regular time on the water and real racing experience throughout the season.
Wednesday Night Racing – Annapolis Yacht Club
The Annapolis Yacht Club Wednesday Night Series is one of the largest and most competitive weeknight sailing programs in the country. Dozens of boats race on the Chesapeake Bay every week throughout the summer.
The typical season runs late April through late August, with racing starting around 6:00–6:30 PM depending on daylight.
These races provide consistent training opportunities for our crew and expose veterans to a wide range of boats, conditions, and racing situations.
Friday Night Racing – Eastport Yacht Club
Eastport Yacht Club hosts informal Friday evening races that bring together sailors from across Annapolis. These events are relaxed but competitive and are a great environment for building skills and confidence.
Racing usually runs May through September, with evening starts around 6:00 PM.
The atmosphere is classic Annapolis: good sailing, strong fleets, and a social waterfront community.
Thursday Evening J/80 Racing
Our crew also participates in J/80 weeknight racing on Thursdays, which provides excellent one-design training. J/80 fleets emphasize boat handling, tactics, and tight racing where small mistakes matter.
These races typically run May through August, starting around 6:00 PM.
Because the boats are identical, the focus shifts entirely to teamwork, sail trim, and decision-making — perfect conditions for developing strong racing crews.
Weekend Regattas
Throughout the season we also compete in regional weekend events, including Annapolis regattas and Chesapeake Bay races. These events give veterans the opportunity to race longer courses, travel with the team, and compete against larger fleets.
Together, these local races form the backbone of the Valhalla Sailing Project season and prepare our crew for larger championship events.
Championship Racing in Annapolis
In addition to local racing, Annapolis will host the 2026 J/30 North American Championship at Eastport Yacht Club from September 17–20, 2026.
This championship brings together top J/30 teams from across North America to compete on the Chesapeake Bay. For the Valhalla Sailing Project crew, having the North American Championship in our home waters makes the event especially meaningful. It allows our veterans to train locally throughout the season and compete at the highest level of J/30 racing right here in Annapolis.
The Chesapeake Bay in September typically delivers excellent racing conditions, making Annapolis one of the premier venues in North America for competitive keelboat sailing.