Race Team

Race Team Information

Membership on the Optimist and 420 Race Teams bring Junior sailing to a different and exciting level. Participation on both of these teams implies an ability and desire to have responsibility for boat ownership and maintenance, to prepare for and compete in regattas both in Manchester and elsewhere, to know racing rules and rules of the road, and to have commitment to a team. For specific details about each team, see below.

At the beginning of each season, there will be a mandatory meeting for all race team members and at least one parent/guardian. This meeting is to review additional requirements and responsibilities for race team members including regatta preparation, transportation of boats and equipment, chartering boats, registering for regattas, required membership in various sailing organizations, and the financial responsibilities inherent in the use of both owned and MSA boats.

To join the MSA Opti team, a student must have successfully completed the two sessions of Bosun or Ensign class, or at least one session of Bo'sun II or an equivalent program elsewhere, or demonstrate necessary skills, and must have instructor approval. The United States Optimist Dingy Association (USODA) allows sailors to compete in optimists through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 15 years of age. Most MSA Opti team members are between 11 and 15. The USODA requires that regattas offer a separate 'Green Fleet' race course for sailors in their first year of competition. MSA has a separate Green Fleet class for first time Opti team members. Upon instructor recommendation, sailors will move up to the Opti Race Team after their season in Green Fleet. Opti racers are encouraged to own their own boat and use it in class because this fosters responsibility and the ability to care for the boat and campaign it at regattas. Owned boats may be stored at MSA with the Program Director's permission. Those without their own boats may use an MSA boat in class and charter an MSA boat for regattas, based on the needs of the program.

Members of the 420 team must be 18 or younger, must have completed MSA's Skipper class and have instructor approval, or have graduated from the Opti Race Team. Sailors need not own their own 420. The 420s are assigned by the Race Coach based on seniority and become the responsibility of the skipper and crew for the season. This responsibility includes maintaining the boat in proper working order and arranging for or performing all repairs of damage and ordinary wear and tear. Racers may use the MSA 420s free of charge in class and at certain team race events and regattas and may charter a boat for other regattas based on the needs of the program.

Additional information will be provided to all Race Team members at or before the parent meeting each year.