Governor’s Cup Yacht Race

Race Information & Resources

Join the Race by registering on nextSailor! Choose one of four courses: the classic, 70-mile Annapolis Leg; the Potomac Leg starting from Dahlgren; the Solomons Island Leg; and the Fishing Bay Leg starting from the Piankatank River in Virginia.

The race’s yacht classes for scoring include Multihull, ORC, CRCA ORR-ez, PHRF A, PHRF B, PHRF C/D and the generalized PHRF Spin & PHRF N. Specialty awards on the Annapolis course are given such as the St. Mary’s Alumni trophy, the Waldschmidt ‘Best In Fleet’ trophy, and the Steve Bickel award for most improved over last year’s race.

After Crossing the Finish Line

Drop anchor and hop aboard our complimentary tender boat service, or dock on the waterfront pier, to come ashore to join the festivities!

Townhouse on the Greens ($)

Enjoy a riverfront view from the Townhouse Green, featuring a communal bathroom, living room, dining room and a full-sized kitchen with refrigerator and stove. Two bedrooms with two twin, x-large beds in each room. All units are air-conditioned.

Queen Anne Residence Hall ($)

While these units do not include a fridge, stove or microwave, they are conveniently located near the waterfront. Dormitory room style housing with one or two twin, x-large beds in each room and access to a shared communal bathroom. All units are air-conditioned.

Tender Boat Service (Free)

Saturday | 6 a.m. - 12:30 a.m.
Sunday | 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Travel seamlessly from your boat to the end of the waterfront pier with our reliable tender boat service, available until just past midnight (12:15 a.m.). The service will reopen on Sunday morning from 7 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Campus Shuttle Service (Free)

Saturday | 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Get around campus with stops at the James P. Muldoon River Center, Daugherty-Palmer Commons/Townhouse Green (housing) and Queen Anne Residence Hall (showers and housing).

Green Door Tavern Shuttle Service ($)

Friday | 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Saturday | 7 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Ride safely to and from our most popular local watering hole with continuous round-trip transportation; the perfect option if you’re looking for some late-night pizza.

Annapolis Shuttle Service ($)

Saturday | 6:30 p.m.
Hop aboard the shuttle service to the Annapolis City Dock. The shuttle will depart promptly at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday from the St. Mary's City Post Office (across the street from the River Center). Please endeavor to arrive at least 30 minutes early to allow time for loading luggage and arranging seating.

The SMCM Governor’s Cup Yacht Race is the Chesapeake Bay’s oldest overnight sailing competition, beginning in Annapolis and finishing the next day at the College’s waterfront on the St. Mary’s River. For more than fifty years, the race has ebbed and flowed like the tide—some treasure the challenge, others love the afterparty. Either way, it’s a chance to be part of sailing history.

The race has evolved over the years, adding three additional legs besides the main 70-mile route from Annapolis: the Potomac Leg that starts in Dahlgren; the Solomons Island Leg; and the Fishing Bay Leg starting from the Piankatank River in Virginia. We highly encourage all our friends in the community to join us from wherever they may hail on the Chesapeake—regardless of whether they race or not! Cruise on over, drop anchor, hop aboard our complimentary tender service and join us for the shoreside festivities and fun.

Born of a dream shared by two students and a recent grad, Pete Sarelas and Russell Baker, ’75, and Dale Rausch, ’71, this annual tradition was established in 1974.

Class of 2025 Exclusive!

We know you’ve only been away for a few months, but it feels like years, right? Meatball, Izzy and Solomon insisted that we check in to see how you’re doing out in the real world, now that the whirlwind of capstone deadlines, finals, commencement and packing and moving are in the rearview mirror.

The trio told us they think it’s the perfect time for you to take a breather down by the river. We agree, so we’re inviting all our Class of 2025 grads back to the river one more time before the summer ends! Gather your friends, take advantage of exclusive Zero Year Reunion pricing, pack inner tubes you snagged at our in the spring and join us at the waterfront to watch the yachts roll in.

Waterfront Recreation Hours

Enjoy kayaking, sailing, paddleboarding and sunbathing on the St. Mary’s River. Photo ID is required to check out the recreational equipment.

• Friday | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
• Saturday | Closed for Governor's Cup Racer Arrivals
• Sunday | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday | 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Celebrate this year’s fastest of the fleet in style at the James P. Muldoon River Center on the Teddy Turner Waterfront. In addition to the winners of each class for the four races, PRO Adam Werblow and Director of Sailing Bill Ward will present the Annapolis special awards, including the SMCM Alumni Trophy, the Steve Bickell Memorial "Most Improved" award and the Joseph A. Waldschmitt “Best in Fleet” trophy, in accordance with the NOR and Sailing Instructions.

Music for Maryland St. Mary’s County: Sunset Serenades

Friday | 7 p.m.
Nancy R. and Norton T. Dodge Performing Arts Center
For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. We’re thrilled to have them down by the St. Mary’s River, especially during one of our favorite summertime events. .

Ticket registration is open now, so don’t delay, "Pay what you wish." General Admission. Seating will be first come, first serve.

Racers will have no trouble recognizing our RC ship, The Maryland Dove, when they cross the finish line at Church Point. The Maryland Dove is a rebuilt 17th-century coastal trading vessel. Classed as a pinnace, it evokes the original Dove -- the smaller of two ships that made the voyage to Maryland in 1634. It's worth noting that The Maryland Dove is captained by none other than SMCM alumna, !

is a National Historic Landmark and one of Southern Maryland’s leading tourism attractions. The outdoor living history museum commemorates the fourth permanent English settlement in North America, Maryland’s first city and for sixty-one years, its colonial capital. It’s the perfect place to stretch your legs—and your imagination—after a long night on the water.