The Celebrity Invitational pairs amateur teams with Olympic medalists, America’s Cup sailors, and world champions for two days of fleet racing on Nantucket Sound.
Competitors are assigned identical International One Designs and matched with a celebrity tactician at the Opening Reception. The result is spirited, high-level racing in one of sailing’s most beautiful venues all in support of Nantucket Community Sailing and its youth and community sailing programs.
How it Works
- Teams arrive with a four-person crew
- Boats are assigned by draw
- Celebrity tacticians are paired Wednesday evening
- Up to four races per day
- Daily and overall awards
Schedule
- 8:30 AM: Competitors Meeting & Boat Draw
- 10:00 AM: First Warning Signal
- 6:00 PM: Casual Barbecue
- 10:00 AM: First Warning Signal
- 4:00 PM: Awards Ceremony at Nantucket Yacht Club
Race Center
Registration, official documents, notice board, and results are managed on YachtScoring.
Entry in the Celebrity Invitational is by invitation. Teams wishing to enter may express their interest by emailing Bobby Constable at Nantucket Community Sailing bobby@nantucketsailing.org.
Teams should consist of a skipper/helmsman and 3 additional crew. Each team will be paired with a sailor of distinguished accomplishment to serve as their Celebrity Tactician.
Prior the event, teams will have the opportunity, if they so choose, to bid on a Celebrity Tactician in a “black box,” sealed-bid auction. Celebrity Tactician assignments will be unveiled at a reception to be held the evening before the first race. Teams are not required to bid, and there is
no minimum bid. However, in the unabashed spirit of encouraging contributions to Nantucket Community Sailing (“NCS”) and to improve the likelihood that each team races with the Celebrity Tactician of their choice, bids are encouraged. All bids are kept strictly confidential.
Registration & Fees
- Registration Fee: $3,000, of which $2,200 is tax-deductible.
The Celebrity Invitational serves as a key fundraiser for Nantucket Community Sailing.
All registrations must be completed through Yacht Scoring HERE.
Awards
Results will be posted online. Awards will be presented at the conclusion of racing. Location to be announced.
The International One Design
Designed in 1935 and inspired by the 6-Metre class, the International One Design is one of the purest expressions of one-design keelboat racing. Nantucket’s fleet rotates identical boats daily to ensure true parity.
Raced on Nantucket Sound in steady August sea breezes, the IOD demands teamwork, strength, and precision — making it the ideal platform for the Celebrity Invitational format.
Event Leadership
Event Co-Chairs
Roy Weedon
Sandy Adzick
Principal Race Officer
Tom Duggan
Master of Ceremonies
Dawn Riley
