The University of Hawai’i sailing team is set to host the annual Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite at Ke’ehi Lagoon on January 17 and 18. This event marks the first home appearance for the team in the 2025-26 season and serves as the spring season debut for the Rainbow Wahine, their first competition of 2026.
Last year, Hawai’i won the Rainbow Invite, placing all four teams in the top seven. The team aims to continue its success with a potential tenth consecutive victory at this event. Weather forecasts predict sunny skies and winds between 10 and 14 knots, which are expected to allow for a full schedule of races during the regatta.
The University of Hawai’i will compete with two teams each in both coed and women’s divisions. The field includes teams from across the United States as well as British Columbia and Victoria from Canada.
Ke’ehi Lagoon will also host another regatta later in March when Hawai’i’s coed sailing team holds the Hawai’i Fleet Race Invite. However, this weekend’s Peter Wenner Rainbow Invite is noted as “the lone home regatta for the Wahine.”
“The regatta will also mark the spring season debut for the Rainbow Wahine, who will make their first appearance of the 2026 calendar year,” according to event organizers.
Racing is scheduled to begin at approximately 10:00 a.m., depending on conditions, at Honolulu Community College Marine Education Center – Ke’ehi Lagoon. Participating schools include Arizona State, British Columbia, Cal, Cal Poly, Rutgers, San Diego State, Texas A&M Galveston, UCLA, UC Davis, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, Vanderbilt, and Victoria (Canada).
