Women's Invitational Team Race (WITR) October 14-15, 2023

Overview

An all-women team racing championship regatta on western Long Island Sound, the Women’s Invitational Team Race is sailed in Ideal 18 keelboats, two sailors per boat, three boats per team. No spinnakers are used. There are no age restrictions and the Ideal 18 can be sailed competitively by a wide range of sailors. Historically, we have sailed the digital N and port triangle.

The weekend of sailing is complete with a Saturday evening regatta dinner and Sunday afternoon awards with the presentation for the Hen Island Trophy. Competitors are welcome to practice on Friday afternoon and have a casual dinner in the Scotch Caps room.

Please see the Notice of Race for further specifics and apply for entry online. Entries are limited and will be selected at the sole discretion of the OA, via resume if necessary. While the deadline for submitting an online Entry Form is 1800 on Saturday, July 22, 2023, early entry is encouraged as we are limited to 8 teams. The weekend long event has been a fantastic success with opportunities for intense competition and camaraderie; and American Yacht Club is committed to fair racing on the water and fun on land.

Notice of Race Application for Entry

Event History

The Women’s Invitational Team Race was founded in 2012 to bring team and women’s racing to the forefront of AYC sailing. Sailed in Ideal 18’s without spinnakers, it was one of the only all-women’s team racing events of its kind and size for nearly 10 years. Each year the level of racing and the skill set of sailors have increased with the age range of the women now extending from college age and up. Founding event chair Carolyn Russell reports, “When we had the idea of the WITR back in 2011, our goal was to make it a fun racing event, one at which women could compete at a high-level but still be able to learn and improve their sailing. We have done that and more thanks to the teams that make their way to Milton Point to compete, our volunteers, and our die-hard Race Committee led by event co-founder and PRO Sandy Weil.” American Yacht Club has made women’s sailing a priority and it makes a difference for visiting sailors to come and compete in a high-caliber event.

Once the season opener, American Yacht Club now looks forward to closing the summer sailing season with the WITR in October. October sailing on Western Long Island Sound brings steady breeze and outstanding sailing conditions.