If you can see Mt. Baker, you are part of The Experience
The 53rd Ski to Sea relay brought more than 500 teams across seven legs and nearly 100 miles from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay on May 24.
With low snow conditions shortening the cross-country ski leg, the race still delivered one of the closest finishes in recent memory. Team MARR'S Heating, AC, Plumbing/Electrical led for much of the day, carrying a two-minute advantage into the final sea kayak leg. But Pacific North Sports erased the gap on the bay, with kayaker Ian Sawyer overtaking the leaders and reaching Marine Park first.
Pacific North Sports won the overall title in 6:49:48, finishing about 30 seconds ahead of MARR'S Heating, AC, Plumbing/Electrical (6:50:18). Boomer's Drive-In rounded out the podium in third at 6:57:39.
The victory marked a changing of the guard in Ski to Sea's competitive division. Many of the athletes who helped Birch Equipment win four consecutive titles were split between the newly formed Pacific North Sports and MARR'S teams, setting up a season-long rivalry that culminated in a dramatic finish on Bellingham Bay.
From the first skiers on Mt. Baker to the final kayakers ringing the bell in Fairhaven, Ski to Sea 2026 showcased the endurance, teamwork and community spirit that have defined the race for more than five decades. X
