The Pettipaug Yacht Club has an extensive sail racing program starting each season on the day of the club’s Commissioning in mid-May through De-Commissioning in late September.

At the core of PYC’s program is the One Design Class Regattas open to any centerboard class with three boats or more in the same class. Typically Blue Jays and Lasers are raced following US Sailing Association (USSA) class rules. Membership in PYC is not necessary. Depending on the wind and weather conditions, five to eight races are held. Awards are given out at the end of the day, and hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas are served. Bring the family for a day of FUN! Sign-up with a Fleet Captain, and call a friend and spread the word to assure there are enough boats in your class to participate.

Fleet Captains:
Lasers – Ed Birch (860-767-7757)
Blue Jays – Cameron Taylor (ctaylor4970@comcast.net)

In addition, other races are held during the season. (See 2010 Racing Schedule below.) The Commodore, Mid-Summer, Clark and Willets Handicap Races are open to a variety of centerboard sailboats, sailing a longer, single course. The top three places are awarded based on the Portsmouth Handicap System (see below). The Hawkins Race is an annual match-up with PYC and Essex Yacht Club in Ideal 18s. The Birch Memorial Race is a handicap race with large, cruising sailboats (20' - 40') running in the main channel of the Connecticut River. The Laundon Loop, the last race of the season, is a shell rowing race with two classes - doubles and singles – that loops through Selden Creek.