Grande Maumelle to Host First-Ever “Le Mans sur Maumelle” Keelboat Race
The Grande Maumelle Sailing Club (GMSC) will break new ground on Sunday, October 12, with the debut of a pursuit-style keelboat race unlike anything in the club’s history. Dubbed Le Mans sur Maumelle, the event blends the excitement of a staggered start with a 17.5-mile course that sends crews on a full lap around Lake Maumelle.
In true “Le Mans” fashion, the race begins with boats docked, sails down or furled, engines off, and no crew aboard. At the sound of the start horn, sailors will scramble aboard, cast off lines, and raise sail before crossing the start/finish line at the T-Dock. From there, they’ll head east to round the island near the dam, west toward the bridge, and back to the finish — with slower boats leaving first and faster boats chasing them down.
The format is designed to make finish times tighter and competition fierce. “The beauty of a pursuit race,” says event coordinator James Corriveau, “is that, in theory, everyone could be rounding that last mark together. It’s a real test of tactics and boat handling.”
All active and past A and B Fleet keelboats are invited, with registration required by October 6 to secure a start time. Late entries may still race but will start last regardless of handicap. This is a free event for members, and at least one crew member from each boat must attend the 10:00 a.m. skippers’ meeting to review start times, course details, and safety reminders.
The course will demand both speed and strategy. Depth and underwater hazards mean crews will need to navigate smartly, giving wide berth to Jim’s Island and other shallow areas. Communications will run on VHF channel 72, and self-reporting finishes will keep the event running smoothly. After the first three non-protested boats cross the line, the race will be called.
Prizes will go to the top three finishers.
Full race details, including start procedures, course map, and safety guidelines, are posted in the official Notice of Race on the GMSC website.
Race Day at a Glance
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Date: Sunday, October 12, 2025
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10:00 a.m. – Competitors’ meeting (mandatory)
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11:00 a.m. – First start signal (slower boats)
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~12:04 p.m. – Last scheduled start
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Finish – After first three boats finish, race will be called
GMSC members can register online or by contacting Yates Phillips or James Corriveau.