MSA is home to one of the best junior race programs in the Northeast. Membership on the Race Team brings junior sailing to a new and exciting level. Racing improves confidence and self-reliance in boats in a fun, team environment. The classes develop and hone competitive sailing skills, tactics and boat handling.   

Qualifications

Kids interested in the race program have basic boat handling and sailing skills. These sailors can competently and safely single-hand a dinghy. Kids from the MSA learn to sail program that have shown an interest and enthusiasm for sailing are usually recommended for the Race program by their instructors. 

Schedule

The Race Team practices Monday - Friday afternoons from 1:00 to 5:00. Members of the Race Team will travel the area and compete in regattas. Please review the Regatta Schedule on the website for a list of events.

Parent Participation

Parent participation is an important part of a successful race season. Registering sailors and transporting their boats to regattas is the responsibility of the parents. Some regattas may require an overnight stay.  

Programs

There are several racing programs available depending on the skill level and interest of the sailor:

Optimist Race Team

Most junior sailors enter the race program on the Opti Team. The team is made of up two different groups of sailors:

Opti Green Fleet: For sailors in their first year of competition. MSA has a separate Green Fleet class and coach for first time Opti team members. Green Fleet members are usually between the ages of 10 and 12. Sailors may register for the first half of the season only or for the whole season. There is no option to register for only the second half of the season.

Opti Championship Fleet: After one season in Green Fleet, most Opti Racers move up to Championship Fleet. Most Championship racers are between the ages of 11 and 15. These racers usually attend Marblehead Race Week and the Mass Bay Junior Regatta, as well as additional local and regional regattas. Participants must register for the whole season.

420 Race Team

Members of the 420 team must be between the ages of 13 and 18, must have completed at least two sessions of MSA's Skipper or Mariner class or the equivalent with instructor approval, or have graduated from the Opti Race Team. Racers new to the 420 team will have separate instruction. Participants must register for the whole season.

Boat Ownership

MSA provides boats for the Team for regular practices and regattas that are held in Manchester.  MSA also has a boat charter program for Team Members who travel to regattas that do not own their own boat.  Opti racers (particularly 2nd year racers) are encouraged to own their own boat and use it in class because this fosters a greater appreciation for the boats through diligent care and handling.

Regatta Participation

Race Team members are encouraged to attend regattas during the summer.  The regatta season will go from the beginning of July to the middle of August.  Racers may participate in race events at home and/or attend local and regional regattas. Most racers choose to travel to at least two away regattas each season including Marblehead Race Week.

Regatta Registration

Many of the regattas have early registration deadlines.  It is important that parents check the regatta schedule and register early for these events.

Race Team Pre-Season Meeting

There will be a mandatory meeting prior to the start of the season.  The meeting is for parents AND sailors.

Meet the coaches
Review the regatta schedule
Discuss regatta logistics (housing/meals/boat charters)
Outline goals/objectives for the summer season