Park City Sailing will send boats around the full 3,000-acre Jordanelle Reservoir for the first time Saturday, Aug. 1, in what Executive Director Scott VerMerris calls a regatta for everyone.

The inaugural Jordanelbow Regatta gets its name from the reservoir's shape. "If you look at a nautical chart or like a topographic map of the Jordanelle, it's shaped like an arm, and so we're gonna race around the whole arm," VerMerris told KPCW.

Unlike the association's usual races in the reservoir's interior, Saturday's course traces the full perimeter. The format is a pursuit race: boats start at staggered times based on their class so that, ideally, all finish together, giving spectators on shore a tight ending to watch.

Racing begins around noon, weather permitting, and VerMerris expects the fleet to take roughly two to two-and-a-half hours to complete the loop. As of Tuesday, July 28, 15 boats had registered, including J/22s, open multihulls, and Ultimate 20s. VerMerris told the Park Record he planned to rally more sailors by week's end.

How to take part

Sailors of any level can register at sailpc.org for $40. Don't own a boat? Park City Sailing offers charters for $100, equipment included.

Spectating is free. The best vantage point is the beach in front of the Lake View Center at Jordanelle State Park, where the race starts and finishes. Spectators can also follow from their own boats on the water.

After-party on shore

Once the last boat crosses the line, a free party kicks off at the Lake View Center with food available for purchase, games, and live music. Dress-up is encouraged: the crowd will vote on a spirit award for the best-dressed attendees. Racers also compete for prizes in each boat class, plus an overall winner's trophy.

VerMerris, who holds a U.S. Coast Guard Master license and has been involved with Park City Sailing for more than 15 years, said the biggest challenge will be weather. Winds can weaken along the reservoir's outer edges.

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