World-Ranked Racers, Clinic Set For Marblehead, Swampscott Regatta

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A half-dozen world-ranked racers and a chance for the public to learn the basics and more advanced racing techniques will all be part of the WASZP North American Championship Regatta set for the waters off Marblehead and Swampscott this weekend.

The four-day regatta hosted by the Swampscott Yacht Club and Eastern Yacht Club of Marblehead begins on Thursday and runs through Sunday.

There will be a Pre North Americans Clinic in partnership with WE CAN FOIL open to the public prior to the race start on Thursday. Those interested can register here.

The WASZP North American Championship Regatta plans to have six globally ranked racers from the United States and Canada among the 26 racers in the event. Those expected are Thomas Sitzmann, Pearl Lattanzi, Andrew Chisholm, Jackson Macaulay, and Owen Hennessy.

There will also be a beach cleanup day with the American Conservation Coalition set for Sunday following the races. The public is invited to the shores to come up with supplies provided.

"Swampscott Harbor and the arena-like Nahant Bay is the perfect location to host the North American Championship," said Zaak Beekman, WASZP USA's North American Search Committee Chair, in a statement to Patch when the event was announced this past February. "With WASZP racing on the rise in the U.S. and with Massachusetts — particularly the North Shore, being home to many sailors, choosing Swampscott was a natural fit."

Beekman said the WASZP is a 3.4-meter monohull one-design hydro foiling sailing dinghy designed by Andrew McDougall and built by McConaghy Boats starting in 2016. In 2017, it was named Best One-Design by Sailing World’s Boat of the Year Awards.

WASZP dinghies are made for both adult and youth sailors and can reach a top speed of 24 knots (27.5 mph).

"Since 1933, the Swampscott Yacht Club has been home to boaters and fishermen alike," SYC Commodore Chris Bendickson said in a release. "Having the opportunity to host WASZP sailors this summer is something we are looking forward to. Our harbor is beautiful, and with excellent sailing conditions and warmer waters in August, we anticipate a successful series of races."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)