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

Race Team is for sailors who have had prior experience racing in either the MSA Intro to Race classes, or in another program.  The Race Team is designed for experienced and enthusiastic sailors who want to compete in a variety of regattas.

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

Optimist Race Team

 Opti Race Team is for sailors who have competed in green fleet regattas and are ready for the more challenging Championship line.  Boat ownership is encouraged but not required.  These racers usually attend Marblehead Race Week and the Mass Bay Junior Regatta, as well as additional local and regional regattas.  Parents must attend a pre-season race team meeting and participate in boat transportation for regattas.

Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

420 Race Team

The 420 Race Team is the most competitive environment for experienced sailors.  Members of the 420 Race Team must be at least 14 years old and be recommended by an instructor.  Emphasis will be on honing competitive sailing skills, boat maintenance and racing rules and tactics.  Racers are expected to participate in select local and regional regattas.  Parents must attend a pre-season 420 Race Team meeting and participate in boat transportation for regattas.

Monday through Friday 1:00-5:00

Boat Ownership

Racing Teams will utilize MSA boats for regular practices and regattas which are held in Manchester.  Racers are encouraged to own their own boat for away regattas, however, racers may charter a boat from MSA if they do not have their own.

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.