On November 13, 1926, the first air regatta in the Pacific Northwest is staged at the Naval Air Reserve Station at Sand Point under the sponsorship of the National Aeronautics Association and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). The events begin at noon when some 3,000 people arrive to listen to talks by flyers about aeronautics and to view static displays of aircraft.
At 3:00 p.m., the races began with a competition between army and navy trainer aircraft from Sand Point to Renton through Kirkland and back to Sand Point. Then observation planes flew a relay race from Sand Point to an airfield south of Tacoma, where the planes landed to pick up a letter from the postmaster addressed to the mayor of Seattle.
The only mishap of the day was when Army Lt. L. C. "Goldie" Goldsmith damaged his wheels landing in Pierce County. Goldsmith was obliged to take the train back to Sand Point.
Civilian pilots raced their aircraft and some army bombers showed off formation flying. The latest Boeing pursuit airplane appeared and flew at speeds said to approach 200 mph.
