Leave them wanting more

Participation is linked to event format. Long days with many races are great for the serious competitor, but reducing the requirements will typically attract more entrants. In this report by Scott Evans, his season-ending event leaves them wanting more:

Some say sailboat racing is in decline. While there are plenty of signs that this may be true, there are also others that say that it is not. One of these positive signs is an annual regatta called The Dolphin that recently held its 2025 edition in Milwaukee, WI.

The Dolphin is primarily a Soling event organized by the Milwaukee Bay Soling Fleet but with other fleets/boats invited. Traditionally, 470s participate and has been expanded in recent years to include J/24, J/70, Lightning, and VX One sailors to affirm their love of fun, competitive racing while demonstrating the resiliency of the sport. – Full report