JPYC has an active racing program. Racers participate in our Wednesday night “beer can” series, other club races, CASRA races, and other major regattas on the lake, including the Chicago to Mackinac race. Novices are encouraged to come crew and are always welcome on race committee.
Please contact the race committee if you have any questions about any of the races listed or would like to volunteer for the race committee.
JPYC Club Races
Wednesday Night Beer Can Races | Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions | Register | Results
JPYC’s beer can racing program are on Wednesday nights with the first start at 7:00 pm. Grab a meal in the galley before heading out to race. Please click here to register.
Gratt/Raske Memorial Regatta | Register
Gil Raske loved sailing and the camaraderie of sailors. Stan Gratt loved sailing and dedicated his life to promoting the sport to the world. Every August, we remember Gil and Stan and celebrate their enthusiasm and passion for the sport of sailing. Arrive in Michigan City on your own schedule to meet one another and the Gratt and Raske Families for a no-host dinner at the (previous) Michigan City Yacht Club, Saturday evening. Race back from Michigan City to Jackson Park on Sunday.
Boat of the Year Series | Notice of Series
The JPYC Boat of the Year series has been updated for 2024 to include both the Wednesday Night Series and Weekend Club races, including the Gold Star, Rainbow Regatta, Gratt-Raske, Pursuit of Happiness and JPYC legs of Bi/Tri-State. We will be using high point percentage scoring which will not penalize competitors that may miss a couple of events. Although, a boat would need to compete in a minimum number of the events to be eligible for overall awards. Prizes for the 2024 Boat of the Year will be awarded at the annual Holiday Celebration and Awards Party at the end of the year.
Charity Races
Gold Star Regatta (Saturday 6/15/24) – REGISTER
Hosted in conjunction with the Chicago Police Sailing Association, the Gold Star Regatta is a fundraising event benefiting three organizations that aid Chicago’s first responders and their families: The 100 Club of Illinois, The Brotherhood for the Fallen, and The Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. The regatta features a distance and buoy race. Funds raised from the regatta’s efforts will support the families of first responders who have fallen or became catastrophically disabled in the line of duty.
Rainbow Regatta (Friday 7/6/24) – REGISTER
Hosted in conjunction with Rainbow Races, an organization that seeks to connect the LGBTQ community and its allies through fundraising and awareness events; and promoting equality through sailing. The Rainbow Regatta is a casual event open to all sailors and encourages those interested in sailing to join. It aims to be a fun evening on the water that builds friendships and encourages equality.
CASRA Races
Chicago Area Sail Racing Association (CASRA) is an organization that serves the interests of boat owners, racers and yacht clubs, with a focus on the Chicago waterfront. CASRA seeks to collaboratively coordinate and grow sail yacht racing. CASRA is comprised of five Chicago area yacht clubs: Burnham Park Yacht Club, Chicago Yacht Club, Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club, Columbia Yacht Club, and Jackson Park Yacht Club.
As a member of CASRA, Jackson Park Yacht Club acts as an organizing authority and provides race committee for the following CASRA races.
Pursuit of Happiness Regatta (Sat 8/24 – Sun 8/25/24) – REGISTER
A two-day regatta organized in cooperation with Burnham Park Yacht Club. Features in port distance, casual and shorthanded components for a variety of different racers.
Bi-State (Sunday 9/1/24) – REGISTER / Tri-State (Monday 9/2/24) – REGISTER
A long standing annual regatta over Labor Day weekend organized by four area yacht clubs: Columbia, Burnham Park, Michigan City and Jackson Park Yacht Clubs. Both regattas start on Friday with an overnight race from Chicago to St. Joseph, Michigan. The Bi-State has a race back to Chicago starting Sunday morning while the Tri-State has two more legs: St. Joseph, MI to Michigan City, IN on Sunday and then back to Chicago on Monday, Labor Day.
Rookie Regatta Series – REGISTER
Are you interested in trying out racing but don’t know where to start, don’t know all the rules, are more of a cruiser, or just want something easier than racing against the veteran racers then the Rookie Regatta Series is just for you. The series will consist of seven (7) races on weekend afternoons during the summer with an after-party held by the sponsoring yacht club. The races will typically be 60-90 minutes long using existing government or permanent marks on the Lake. All boats will be able to start at their own time during a 15 minute starting window. Registration is open to Jib and Main boats and you will not need a formal handicap certificate. A mentoring program is also available for boats that would want an experienced skipper to help coach during the race.