Announcing the 2026 Women's IOD Invitational - September 12/13, 2026
AWhen and where are the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational?
The 2025 Women’s IOD Invitationals will be held in Marblehead, MA on Saturday September 12 and Sunday September 13, 2026.
Who is the host Yacht Club for the 2025 Women’s IOD Invitational?
The 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational is being hosted by the Marblehead IOD Fleet and the Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead.
How many teams will be invited to the 2025 Women’s IOD Invitational?
The Organizers hope to accept applications from nine or ten all-female teams. Note that these numbers are not confirmed or guaranteed at this time.
How will Invitations to the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational be allocated and sent?
This is a resume event for all-female teams. Interested skippers should complete the regatta application that will be posted at www.marbleheadiod.com/womens2026/ early in 2026. Applications will be reviewed by the organizing committee, and the most qualified applicants will receive a formal invitation May/June 2026. Invited skippers should promptly accept their invitation by paying their entry fee. An entry is not secured until the entry fee is paid.
When will the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions be published?
The NoR is being drafted. It should be published here, in downloadable form, before March 1, 2026. The Sailing Instructions are expected to be published shortly before the event.
How much is the Entry Fee for the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational?
The fees for the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational are not yet known. They will be published in early 2026. The entry fee will be due to the organizers by July 10, 2026. A $75 late fee may be assessed after that time.
What is the Social Schedule?
On Friday September 11th there will be an informal welcoming party at a private home. On Saturday night September 12th there will be a regatta dinner. Refreshments will be served at the Eastern Yacht Club following racing and before the awards on Sunday September 13th, light breakfast treats will be offered before racing on Saturday and Sunday.
How much is the Social Fee for the 2025 Women’s IOD Invitational?
The social package fee is not yet determined. It will be published early in 2026
What are the Insurance arrangements for the 2025 Women’s IOD Invitational?
Competing skippers and co-skippers will be required to provide the regatta organizers with a damage deposit of approximately $1000 to cover deductibles and small incidents. This damage deposit will be returned to the skippers, less any deductions for damages incurred, at the end of the regatta. We prefer to receive the damage deposit via check, but Venmo and credit card payments will be accepted. Co-skippers will only be required to submit one damage deposit.
What forms of payment will be accepted?
We expect to be able to transact payments via Venmo, check, or via credit card. A final decision on a credit card vendor has not been made, however we expect to be able to process payments made with VISA, Mastercard, and possibly American Express. There will be a small processing fee added to credit card transactions. We prefer regatta damage deposits to be made by personal check. That way we will be able to hold the checks and possibly tear yours up at the end of the week – provided there are no incidents that might be wholly or partially assessed to your deposit.
What is the racing schedule?
Two days of racing are planned – Saturday and Sunday September 12&13. Up to three races may be sailed on any single day. The racing schedule is subject to change, and will likely change.
What are the expected conditions?
In recent years, the summer sea breeze pattern has lingered into early September, with winds building to 8kts-14kts. However, September can feature blustery frontal winds.
How will housing be arranged?
In keeping with the long-standing tradition of the IOD Class, the Marblehead fleet will make every effort to provide visiting sailors and their guests with accommodations in local homes. Visiting teams are asked to make their housing requirements known to us by completing the online housing form as soon as possible after it is posted (sometime in February). We will do our best to accommodate every reasonable request – including spouses, children, significant others. Housing will begin on Saturday night, June 15, and end on Saturday morning June 22.
Will I need a car for the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational?
We recommend that each team have access to at least one car. Although most host homes will be in Marblehead, some teams may be housed more than a mile from the Yacht Clubs. In addition, several social events are planned to take place a short drive from the clubs.
What arrangements or options are there for racing lunches?
Marblehead boasts many wonderful sandwich shops would will welcome your business during the Championship week. In addition, we anticipate that one or two local sandwich shops will be on hand to take your orders in advance during registration, and after racing, for lunches that they will deliver to the club the next morning.
Will there be 2026 Women’s Invitational shirts, hats, or other merchandise? Can I order in advance?
Yes. Only limited quantities of regatta merchandise will be available for purchase at the event.
I have questions about the 2026 Women’s IOD Invitational, where should I send them?
Please send your questions about the 2026 Woman’s Invitational to the regatta organizers at womensinvite@marbleheadiod.com. They will try to review and reply to your email within twenty-four hours.