Modern Sailing School & Club, renowned for its commitment to providing top-notch sailing education, has embarked on an exciting new venture – a three-tiered racing program for beginning to advanced racers to help cultivate and grow the Bay Area yacht racing community.

Modern Sailing race teams have had a presence in local yacht club races for many years, sometimes as winners, sometimes as underdogs – and now they’re really stepping things up a notch! Building on the introduction of its J/88 Performance Team in the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series, Modern Sailing is taking the helm in shaping a pathway for sailors to progress from recreational racing to elite competitions. Let’s delve into the details of this innovative program and how it opens a wealth of racing opportunities for Bay Area sailors. 

Evolution from Recreational Drop-In Racing to a Three-Tiered Racing Program for Beginning to Advanced Racers 

Modern Sailing’s journey in the realm of San Francisco Bay racing began over a decade ago with the Recreational Racing Program. Sailors completing the school’s Racing Clinic would become eligible to join SYC, CYC, BYC, and GGYC races with a Modern Sailing team, coached by a professional instructor aboard a 30 to 36-foot vessel in their fleet.  

Traditional “Drop-In” Racing remains intact as Tier 1 of the new program. Drop-in Races are perfect for those who are just getting started with racing, or those who want to occasionally race and cannot commit to attendance of a full series. Members and non-members are invited to sign up for Drop-ins for a fee. Now, Tier 2 introduces the Club Race Teams and Tier 3 will mark the Performance Team level, with aspirations to compete in international regattas and elite events here in the Bay.  

Introduction of Club Race Teams
The participation of the J/88 Fly Performance Team coached by Captain Katie Cornetta and Fly owner Tom Richman in the 2023 Rolex Big Boat Series sparked a new evolution of Modern Sailing’s Racing Program. The RBBS race crew consisted of 6 Modern Sailing members who were selected based on their previous active participation in the Recreational Racing Program. The positive RBBS experience inspired the genesis of Club Race Teams, which are designed to nurture talent and teamwork among racing crew members.

Comprising Tier 2 in Modern Sailing’s Racing Program, the Club Race Teams debuted with J/105 Resolute in the 2023/2024 BYC Midwinter Series and J/105 Chao Pescao in the SYC Chili Midwinters. The program recently expanded with the addition of the J/99 Mymble, which will compete in 5 BYC Sunday Chowder races beginning on February 4. 

Tier 2 Club Race Teams Structure  

With all crew committing to a series of races, Club Race Teams give members the opportunity to develop skills both individually and together to become a cohesive and competitive team. These teams act as vital training grounds and a feeder program for the Tier 3 Performance Teams. 

Boat Owners as Team Skippers 

Each Club Race Team is skippered by the boat’s owner, fostering a sense of partnership and camaraderie, and ensuring a strong connection between the skippers, crews, and their vessels. David Morris, Paolo Juvera, and Stuart Strickland lead Teams Resolute, Chao Pescao, and Mymble, respectively. All three skippers are experienced racers. 

Access Points to the Racing Program

Sailors interested in joining the Modern Sailing Racing Program can choose from various entry points. A US Sailing or ASA 101 Basic Keelboat Sailing certification allows participation in the BYC Sunday Chowder Races. Subsequent completion of 4 Chowder Races opens the door to the BYC Friday Beer Can Races.  

The Racing Clinic, Asymmetrical Spinnaker Clinic, and Development Sails are also available for those seeking a more structured approach and a pathway to Tier 2 racing. In these clinics, students learn racing theory, tactics, starts and marks, advanced sail trim, and asymmetrical spinnaker handling. Sailors with previous racing experience may be able to bypass prerequisites by submitting a sailing resume to Modern Sailing. 

Tier 3 Performance Teams 

The pinnacle of Modern Sailing’s Racing Program, Tier 3 Performance Teams will participate in prestigious class-level YRA events on San Francisco Bay, culminating in the Rolex Big Boat Series. Rigorous training sessions precede major events, ensuring teams are well-prepared for optimal performance. 

Modern Sailing is in the process of defining the requirements for Tier 3 Performance Team members, which will set the stage for even more exciting opportunities for skilled and ambitious sailors. 

Modern Sailing’s three-tiered Racing Program is not just a sailing initiative; it’s a transformative journey that empowers sailors to elevate their skills, form lasting connections, and compete at the highest levels. As the Club Race Team program grows and the criteria for Performance Teams takes shape, the horizon looks promising for those with a passion for sailing the Bay and the thrill of competitive sailing. Stay tuned for more updates as Modern Sailing continues to chart new courses for sailors to realize their sailing dreams on San Francisco Bay and beyond. 

To learn more about Modern Sailing’s Racing Program, prerequisites and clinic and race pricing, visit https://www.modernsailing.com/racing-program.