A Legacy of World-Class Competition
The Corinthian Yacht Club is built upon a deep and distinguished history of hosting and competing in world-class regattas, which includes premier events like the Etchells North Americans, J/24 North Americans, R19 Nationals, and the International One Design (IOD) World Championships.
Our dedication to high-level competition also extends beyond our home waters. The Corinthian is invited to compete against the best national talent at esteemed yacht clubs across the country. Our proud competitive history features participation in major events, including the Invitational Cup, Morgan Cup, Resolute Cup, Lipton Cup, and the Team Race World Championships.
To obtain more information or express interest, please contact David Larson or Langdon Mitchell, Co-Chairs of the Sailing Committee.
Due to the high maneuverability of the boat's design, the Sonar has become a popular boat for team racing competitions. Being home to the largest Sonar fleet in the world, Marblehead has adopted the Sonar as the team racing boat of choice.
Whether you have questions or would just like to chat about team racing, please email us. Hope to see you out there!
In collaboration with Eastern Yacht Club and Boston Yacht Club, and the Massachusetts Bay Sailing Association, CYC offers one-design fleet racing and handicap racing. Whether small dinghy sailing or big boat handicap racing, there are events for all ability levels and ages. There are a broad range of one-design fleets including Etchells, IOD, J/105, J/70, Rhodes 19, Town Class, Viper 640, Vanguard 15, Laser and Laser Radial.
To express interest or for more information, please contact us at [email protected].
One-Design Racing
From May through September, One Design races are hosted by the CYC, Eastern Yacht Club and Boston Yacht Club. Active fleets racing regularly are Etchells, IOD, J/105, J/70, Rhodes 19, Town Class, Viper 640, Vanguard 15, Laser and Laser Radial. There are two-day regattas on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, and one-design fleets may be included in larger events such as the Storm Trysail Club's Ted Hood Regatta.
In 2014, CYC celebrated the 125th Anniversary of Marblehead Race Week. CYC started the event in 1889 and it remains as the longest-running small-boat regatta in the U.S. In 1997, Marblehead Race Week became part of the Sailing World's NOOD circuit consisting of six events throughout the U.S. Since teaming up with Sailing World, Marblehead consistently draws one of the largest numbers of entries on the NOOD circuit.
Handicap Racing
With opportunities for week day evening races and weekend regattas, sailors of all ages and abilities have the chance to get out on the water. Through support of Massachusetts Bay Sailing Association and Marblehead Racing Association, big boat racing starts in May and continues into early October.
Twilight & Booth Racing
CYC hosts Twilight Racing on Tuesday and Thursday nights for the Town Class, and Rhodes 19. Sunday mornings welcome Town Class racing. Akin to the early days of racing, the starting line stretches from a fixed buoy in the harbor to a booth attached to the CYC clubhouse and uses a variety of government marks just off the mouth of Marblehead Harbor.
The CYC Race Committee is a dedicated group of volunteers who have a reputation for running great races. During the off-season, members spend time learning and refreshing their knowledge of racing rules of sailing and in first aid and safety training courses. Serving on the Race Committee is a great way of learning about race management, watching some exciting racing, and giving back to your sport and to the club that you love. An argument has been made that it also makes you a better racer!
The Race Committee invites you to experience what we do. We provide the opportunity for hands-on experience on the water learning not only race management but also other valuable on-the-water skills. Join the Race Committee to become part of a great group of volunteers!
To express interest or for more information, please contact us at [email protected].
2026 Sailing Schedule
Saturday, June 6th - Sunday, June 7th
Join us on Saturday, June 6th and Sunday, June 7th for the CYC Somerset Weekend! Saturday is an MRA day, and Sunday brings in the big boats for the Somerset Mass Bay Championship qualifier.
Race Information
The Corinthian Yacht Club National Women’s Invitational Team Race for The Thayer Trophy is the US’s only 3v3 women’s team racing event in keel boats with spinnakers, a format that requires exceptional boat handling and split-second decision making.
Each June, the Corinthian Yacht Club welcomes an outstanding field of women sailors representing yacht clubs and sailing associations from across the US and beyond for a weekend of phenomenal on-the-water competition and off-the-water camaraderie.
The 2026 Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series is a premier sailing event in New England. This regatta features multiple days of competitive racing for various, primarily one-design, boat classes in the waters off Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Event Homepage
YACHTING AT ITS FINEST
Pageantry, tradition, and sheer beauty fills Marblehead Harbor early August when the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta brings glorious yachts, sailors, and fans from New England and afar.
Marblehead is a harbor steeped in proud maritime history and tradition. And so is the CYC. Whether it be Marblehead’s claim as the Birthplace of The American Navy; centuries of fishing schooners in its harbor; competition among “Letter” and “Metre” classes; or the construction and launching of the America’s Cup 12 Meters Easterner and Nefertiti, Marblehead has always been “racing classics” in one way or another.
The first of what we now call “Classic Yacht Regattas,” was held under the banner “The Empress Cup.” Started and conducted by two local boatyards in the mid-80s – Dion’s of Salem and Marblehead Trading Company -- the events were roaring successes through the mid-’90s. Ultimately, managing both the “roaring” patrons at the after-party in the yards and the litigious insurance companies became too much, and the regatta was put on hold.
A few seasons later, in 1999, the Corinthian Yacht Club brought the event back as the Corinthian Wooden Boat Regatta. However, the renaissance of wooden and classic sailing vessels was still on the horizon, and participation grew slowly. The CYC stood by the event, and in 2003 the CYC, “Foxy” Callwood from Jost Van Dyke, and over 60 gorgeous wooden boats came together for “Foxy’s Wooden Boat Regatta North”. Fearing a fate similar to The Empress Cup, things were dampered a bit, and the event then became the Corinthian Classic Boat Regatta.
From 2010 until 2018, Officine Panerai brought their Classic Yacht Challenge program to New England, and included Marblehead as a venue and the Corinthian Yacht Club as the host.
Today, the Corinthian Yacht Club continues the tradition of promoting sailing “Classics” through the Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta which holds a prominent position within the Classic Yacht Challenge Series.
Event Homepage
Video by CYC Communications Committee
The Commodore's Cup is an annual regatta between Corinthian Yacht Club, Boston Yacht Club, Eastern Yacht Club and Pleon Yacht Club. Competition in the harbor occurs in Sonars, main and jib only, and each club fields a team that must include Flag Officers. At the end of the day, the champion club hoists its burgee at the host club.
The 2026 U.S. Match Racing Championship (USMRC) Qualifier hosted at the Corinthian Yacht Club will be sailed in Sonar class boats. This event serves as a qualifier for the Prince of Wales Bowl national championship, with up to 10 skippers invited based on rankings and qualifying performance.
Race Information
