PYC Team Race Clinic

Sat/Sun, September 12–13, 2026
Portland Yacht Club – Falmouth, Maine

Portland Yacht Club invites high school and advanced junior sailors to a two-day Team Racing Clinic on beautiful Casco Bay.

With a fleet of 12 Flying Juniors (FJs), this clinic will focus on the fundamentals and advanced tactics of high school team racing. Sailors will receive intensive on-the-water coaching, video debriefs, and classroom sessions designed to improve boat handling, communication, strategy, and winning team race techniques.

Coach

Tom Sitzmann

• Former Head Sailing Coach, Severn School
• Two-time ISSA Baker Team Race National Championship winning coach
• Eight-time National Championship coach
• Former collegiate coach and professional sailor

Clinic Topics

• Team race rules and umpired racing
• Boat handling and speed
• Starting strategies
• Mark traps and tactical positioning
• Communication and teamwork
• Short-course practice games
• Video review and daily debriefs

Boats

• Portland Yacht Club fleet of 12 Flying Juniors (FJs)

Eligibility

Open to experienced junior and high school sailors with prior doublehanded racing experience.

Schedule

Saturday, September 12

•  0900-1500

Sunday, September 13

•  0900-1400

Registration

Space is limited to allow maximum sailing time and coaching. Registration can be:

• As an individual: $250
• As a team of 2: $400
• As a full team (6 sailors): $600

For registration information or questions, contact:

Tom Sitzmann
Sailing Director, Portland Yacht Club
[email protected]

This clinic is designed to prepare sailors and teams for the upcoming high school and junior team racing season through intensive, high-quality coaching and plenty of racing.