More than 90 boats will be participating in this year's race, with sailors coming from near and far to participate.
HARBOR SPRINGS — Colorful sails will be scattered across Little Traverse Bay this weekend when the Little Traverse Bay Yacht Club hosts its 64th annual Ugotta Regatta.
Debi Schoenherr, regatta director, said the regatta is the only one of its size that takes place in the bay each year.
More than 90 boats will be participating in this year's race, with sailors coming from near and far to participate. There will be a handful of boats coming from the East Coast, while many others will be coming from the Chicago and Detroit areas.
"It's a spectacular view of racing machines and sailboats," Schoenherr said. "Once a year you will see the number of boats out there with their sails and racing very close to each other —it's an exciting view for spectators."
The races kick off on Friday, July 25 with the One Design Racing event starting at noon. One design races will have participants going around the bay in one direction.
Irish Boat Shop will be hosting a party from 5-7 p.m. on Friday as well.
Saturday's celebrations will include a public breakfast, operating from 7:30-10:30 a.m. at the Little Traverse Yacht Club. At noon, the warning signal will sound for the Tour of the Bay courses.
From 4-8 p.m. the annual Ugotta Regatta Party will take place at the Little Traverse Yacht Club, with drink tickets available for purchase.
The weekend festivities come to a close on Sunday, July 27, with another public breakfast from 7:30-10:30 a.m.. At noon, the warning signal will sound for the Tour of the Bay courses.
The Tour of the Bay courses feature boats racing around the bay in different directions, bringing exciting views for spectators. They'll be able to see the racing boats from locations like Petoskey State Park and Sunset Park in Petoskey.
"It's something (spectators) won't see very often out on the lakes unless they're maybe at the finish line of one of the (Mackinac) races," Schoenherr said.
The awards party will be from 4-7 p.m. at the yacht club on Sunday, July 27, with a light buffet and drink tickets available.
For more information on the schedule, rules for racers or the yacht club, visit ltyc.org/ugotta-regatta.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at [email protected]. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: 64th Ugotta Regatta sailboat races coming to Little Traverse Bay July 25-27, 2025
Category: General Sports
