2021 Winter Blinker by Chicago Yacht Club

Safety at Sea Seminar: November 2021

On the cover: U.S. Sailing

C H I C A G O Y A C H T C L U B

WINTER 2021

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2021 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Communications Chair, Mike Platzke Skip Harsch Amy Schwartz Rhonda Thomas Tatia Torrey Elizabeth Wolniakowski

MANAGING EDITORS Sara Proctor Abbie Wilson

COMMODORE Nick Berberian

ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS Clyde Ainley Betsy Barrett Nancy Berberian Marie Castañeda Christopher Chatain Bruce Danly Skip Dieball Sonja Elmquist Jerry Guthert Elizabeth Haley Charlotte Harris Kurt Lentsch Elena Mirochnik Nick Naber Sally Jo Rudnick Ann Rundle Daniel Sandoval Lou Sandoval Nancy Snyder Katie Tinder Rick Van Mell

PHOTO/IMAGE CONTRIBUTORS Mark Albertazzi Betsy Barrett Eric Clarke Erin Dickson Matt Knighton Elena Mirochnik Sara Proctor Lizzie Ramirez Ann Rundle Graham Sauser Samuel Wm. Sax Abbie Wilson

TABL E OF CONTENTS

FROM THE HELM

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

NEW MEMBERS

POWER FLEET

WOMEN ON THE WATER

RACE TO MACKINAC

DAYBREAK

112TH CYCRTM WINNERS

LETTER FROM THE

76TH ANNUAL

A LOOK BACK AT THE

OTW DIRECTOR

FLEET REVIEW

LETTER FROM LONG-TIME MEMBER

LIPTON CUP

2022 SAILING SCHOOL

CHICAGO REGATTA RECAP

U.S. SAILGP FOILING CLINIC

2021 YACHTING HONORS

CRUISING SAIL FLEET

LOUIS SANDOVAL: LMSRF

JUNIOR RACING -

31 32 35

RECIPIENTS

HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE CHICAGO YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION

CY-SCENE

ON THE COVER Students practice putting out a fire at the 2021 U.S. Sailing Safety at Sea Seminar Fire Safety Demonstration under the supervision of Safety at Sea Moderator Jonathan Kabak. Photo by Abbie Wilson

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2021 CHICAGO YACHT CLUB VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP

F R O M T HE HE LM

FLAG OFFICERS

Dear Club Members:

Nick Berberian, Commodore Lisa Curcio Gaston, Vice Commodore Raymond Groble, Rear Commodore Laura Sigmond, Secretary Michael Kovacs, Treasurer

Please join me in extending a very special thanks to all of the Club’s Committee Chairs, the countless volunteers serving on the Committees, and the Club’s dedicated Staff for planning and executing an extraordinary 2021 Season on the water. We had record levels of engagement.

PAST COMMODORES

The Season kicked off with the 75th Annual Fleet Review,

Lou Sandoval Leif Sigmond

a wonderful Club tradition. We then saw enormous excitement surrounding the return of cruises to various destinations on Lake Michigan, our Community Outreach

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Programs, and our major Regattas, including the

Elizabeth Barrett Steven Dorfman Steven Knoop John Leahey Kurt Lentsch James Murray Scott Sims Nancy Synder Samuel Veilleux

CYC PROFESSIONAL STAFF General Manager – Jim Williamsen MONROE STATION STAFF Membership Director – Elizabeth Haley Communications Director – Sara Proctor Design & Social Media Specialist – Abbie Wilson Controller – Keith Brennan Assistant Controller – Jessica Jacobs Billing Manager – Karen Gonzalez Human Resources Director – Jeannette Jacques Monroe Executive Chef – Larry Asher Catering & Events Director – Taylor Sparrow Nesbit Catering Assistant – Oscar Barrera F & B Manager – Nolan Sanchez Floor Manager – Alana Soogrim Member Services Manager – Betsy Myers BELMONT STATION STAFF On the Water Director – Skip Dieball Belmont F & B Manager – Gaby Meheux Belmont Chef – Michael Ramos Adult Education Director – Ivan Sagel Regatta Manager – Chuck Nevel Education Director – Katie Tinder Head Coach – Hector Guzman Single - Handed Coach – Flor Cerutti

112th Race to Mackinac. We had full and enthusiastic participation in the Wednesday Night Skyline Series, Sail Fast Thursdays, and the Women on the Water Friday night series. Our Sailing School, Crew U, and Adult Education Programs were sold out. The Club’s fleet of Sonars and Tom28s were heavily utilized for multiple programs and activities for members. We also had the extraordinary opportunity to cheer on our members Steph Roble and Maggie Shea as they competed in the Tokyo Olympics. We further expanded our membership offerings by launching new programs this past Season, including rental programs for a Duffy Electric Boat and a Sea Ray Power Boat, along with bringing paddleboards and kayaks down to Monroe for use at that location as well as at Belmont. Thanks to the generous support of Wintrust, the Club also acquired two hydrofoil boats that allowed us to partner with SailGP and its CEO, twotime America’s Cup Champion Jimmy Spithill, in hosting a hydrofoil clinic that included community outreach and provided diversity training. Time spent out on the water and at the Club was clearly viewed by our members as a safe haven from the pandemic in light of the enormous planning that took place and the hard work to make The 2021 Season happen. We had our own oasis on the lakefront and attracted a record number of over 140 new members this year, who share our passion for the water. The planning process for the 2022 Season is now underway. I urge all of our members to consider either joining a Committee or just finding out how you can get more involved in ways consistent with your interests. There is terrific information about Committee activities in this edition of the Blinker. Please do not hesitate to contact the Chair of a Committee or our Membership Director, Elizabeth Haley, at membership@chicagoyachtclub.org to learn more about the opportunities available for you. Getting more involved is a great way to better know your fellow members and shape the activities of the Club. Nancy and I look forward to seeing all of you on and off the water in the upcoming year. Sincerely,

Nick Berberian Commodore, Chicago Yacht Club commodore@chicagoyachtclub.org Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

A LETTER FROM THE MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR BY ELIZABETH HALEY

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HOPE YOU HAD A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON! I am proud to say that 2021 was outstanding year for membership with 141 new members and counting. Thank you for your support of the 2021 Membership Drive. The Discover Chicago Yacht Club Preview Membership Program was a great success. We hosted two or more membership events per month with getting people out on the water as our number one priority. I want to thank every new member sponsor and endorser. We could not have accomplished this record-breaking year for new members without you. Please be sure to check out our new members, listed in this issue, who have joined since late June 2021.

A warm welcome to our 2021 Class of New Members! We are all so happy to have you join the CYC community. Thank you for being a member and for supporting the growth of Chicago Yacht Club by continually inviting your friends and family to join the community. I look forward to seeing you and your friends at one of our many Membership events this year. ✶ Please contact me at membership@chicagoyachtclub.org for more information on the membership process.

WINTER PREVIEW OF CHICAGO YACHT CLUB MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES N EW M EMBE R INC E NT IVE S

REI N STATEM ENT I NCEN TIVE S

Dues & Initiation Fee will not be charged until March 2022

Dues & Reinstatement Fee will not be charged until March 2022

✶ All new member candidates whose application is received

December 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022 will have preview use of the Club during the membership process. (Candidates must submit their credit card information with their application to access the Club.)

✶ Membership dues will be charged beginning on March 31, 2022 ✶ 33% of the initiation fee is due by March 31, 2022

✶ All reinstatement member candidates whose application is

received December 1, 2021 - March 1, 2022 will have preview use of the Club during the reinstatement process. (Candidates for reinstatement must submit their credit card information with their application to access the Club.)

✶ Membership dues and reinstatement fee will be charged beginning on March 31, 2022

✶Reinstatement Fee is 50% of the applicable initiation fee

SP ONSOR I N CENTIVES: When you sponsor a new member, you will receive credit, too. For every new regular (age 40 & up) member you sponsor, you will receive $150 in food & beverage credit, and for every new associate (age 21-39) member you sponsor, you will receive $75 in food & beverage credit.

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2021 MEMBERSHIP EVENTS

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NEW MEMBERS

since June 22, 2021

REGULAR Jin Ahmed

Megan Dwyer & Tom Soule

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Sponsored by: Rocque Lipford

Sponsored by: Alex Abell Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

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A LETTER FROM THE ON THE WATER DIRECTOR BY SKIP DIEBALL

2021, A YEAR TO CELEBRATE I know what you are thinking, “…a year to celebrate?!?” I’ll admit, we are still steering a course that has the pandemic on our minds, albeit approaching the rearview mirror. However, here in the On-the-Water Department we couldn’t have asked for a better summer. We offered programs and you came out in record numbers to enjoy the water and all that boating on Lake Michigan can offer. Our boating season has a few twists and turns, but largely resembles years’ past in that we start the season with scholastic and frostbite and then move into our summer sailing school, adult sailing, Crew U and WOW. Then, the bigger regattas before finishing up with scholastic and frostbite in the fall. In 2021, however, we found new ways to expand within the confines of the limited summer and that allowed us to provide more instruction and deliver more fun to more sailors. This couldn’t have happened without our professional waterfront staff. Speaking of staff, it is the perfect time to give a shoutout and remind you of their expertise and how they can assist. Katie Tinder is our Education Director. She oversees the youth programming and the instruction of our seasonal coaches and educators. She makes sure we deliver world-class instruction. Ivan Sagel is our Adult Education and Power Director. Ivan has been cultivating our adult programming for several years and has grown our offerings into the offseason as well (Captiva anyone?). Adult learn to sail, learn to power and performance keelboat training is in his wheelhouse.

Chuck Nevel is our Regatta Manager. He is involved in nearly every event that the OTW team manages for CYC. He’s busy, to say the least! From Mac Race to frostbite. Do you have an idea of an event that CYC could host? Let’s get it on the calendar early. Cam Borkowski is our Marine Assets Manager (Bosun). He’s the craftsman that takes care of all the boats and equipment that the club offers for our programs. Many of the boats in our fleet are used EVERY SINGLE DAY. Preventative and off-season maintenance has commenced, and he’s got a project list that would turn heads! Hector Guzman is our Head Coach. Hector is a sailing rock-star and shares his knowledge and passion with 100’s of sailors each season. Looking to up your game? No better place to get advice then from the Head Coach. Flor Cerutti is our Singlehand Coach. Our singlehanded fleet includes Optis, Lasers, and the Skeeta Foilers. Though traditionally a youth position, Flor is expanding in 2022 and offering singlehanded instruction for adults in both the Laser and the Skeeta. Oh, did I mention that Flor is an Olympian? She can help you become a better sailor too. I’m proud to lead these professionals. 2022 will be bigger and better and we look forward to serving you all and doing our part to grow the sport and provide easy ways for you to get out on Lake Michigan next summer. Please watch Docklines and Mainsheet for announcements and registration information for all of our 2022 programs. You’ll want to act fast as they typically sell out pretty fast. ✶

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7 6 TH A N N U A L F L E E T R E V I E W BY SALLY RUDNICK, 2022 FLEET REVIEW COMMITTEE CHAIR

As your Fleet Review Chair, I invite all CYC members,and their guests, to participate in our 76th Annual Fleet Review. Fleet Review is one of many grand traditions of the Chicago Yacht Club and a fitting salute to our Commodore, Nick Berberian. WHAT IS A FLEET REVIEW? A fleet review is an event where a gathering of ships from a particular navy is paraded and reviewed by a reigning head of state and/or other official civilian and military dignitaries. If you have a sailboat or powerboat, please join us for this historical event. We would love to have 30 or more boats participate in 2022! Please register your boat early. Champagne flutes will be given to all participants!

If you plan to have your boat in our 2022 CYC Fleet Review parade, please dress your boat as follows: • United States Ensign • Chicago Yacht Club Burgee Only • Private signal • The International Code flags • Winners flags and pennants from prior years All boats will “Pass in Review” by the CYC dock and salute the Commodore and Flag Officers by dipping their ensign as they go past the club. Commodore Nick Berberian will give a champagne toast on the Monroe docks afterwards for all those who participated in Fleet Review. We invite all members to visit us throughout the course of Fleet Review weekend. Don’t miss it! ✶

SAVE THE for the DATE!

76th ANNUAL FLEET REVIEW

SUNDAY, JUNE 26th MONROE STATION 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM: BRUNCH 12 PM: PROCESSION OF BOATS WE LOVE TO SEE OUR FLEET OUT ON THE WATER JOIN THE TRADITION AND FUN! Fleet Review is a time honored tradition and fantastic opportunity to enjoy brunch, a BBQ and meet other Chicago Yacht Club members. Register to participate with your boat or make a reservation to be a spectator and watch the Procession of Boats from the Club’s beautiful patio. VISIT CHICAGOYACHTCLUB.ORG TO LEARN MORE AND REGISTER YOUR BOAT EARLY! Contact Committee Chair, Sally Rudnick with questions at sr@cindur.com.

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1 1 2 TH R A C E T O MACKINAC

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SECTION WINNERS CRUISING 3 Cruising Division

BENETEAU 36.7 Mackinac Cup Division

SECTION 4 Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division

CRUISING 2 Cruising Division

J/105 Mackinac Cup Division

J/111 Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division

3. Intangible 2. Endeavour 1. Perception

Tom Falck Matthew & Emily Gallagher Capt. Bryan Smith & Ron White

3. Chaya Doin 2. Fuzzy Logic 1. Jasmin

Joshua Rubenstein & Marc Rubenstein Dan Emery David Ormesher, Jon Sawyer & Ted Anderson

CRUISING 1 Cruising Division 3. Dakota 2. Albatross 1. Eagle One

Steven Sickler & Ray Groble Fernando Assens Timothy LaRiviere

SECTION 9 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Ohana 2. Souvenir 1. Providence

Robert & Jeff Smetters Steve Schiller Jerry & Greg Miarecki

T-10 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Mutiny 2. Meat 1. Grytviken

John Schellenbach Brian Kennalley, Edward Mui & Craig Roehl Piotr Madrzyk

SECTION 8 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Banter 2. Fast Tango 1. Handsome Pete

Ben Marden Tim Prophit David & Tracey Baker

DOUBLEHANDED 1 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Misty 2. Nemo 1. Exile

Daniel & Dana Floberg Michael Tuman Andy Graff & Scott Eisenhardt

3. Maggie Mae 2. Joie De Vie 1. Free Radical

3. Esprit d’Ecosse 2. Gryphon 1. Sealark

Peter Wright Donna Hastings Robert Nelson & Anthony Bowker Ross & Judith McLean Sam Powers Clark Pellett

3. Pterodactyl 2. No Quarter 1. nosurprise

SECTION 7 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Le Reve 2. Archimedes III 1. Bad Dog

3. Taipan 2. Abracadabra 1. Solution

3. Return To Sender 2. Talisman 1. FishTales

Brian Angioletti & Chuck Norton Tomek Kokocinski Mark Pirie

Lloyd Karzen Don M Thinschmidt & Don M Thinschmidt Jr William H Francis

Andrew Dillon Bruce Aikens Mike & Dawn Fisher

SECTION 1 Chicago-Mackinac Trophy Division

Mike & Bob Kirkman Matthew Songer Doug Evans

BENETEAU 40.7 Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division 3. Wired 2. Koko Loko 2 1. Flyswatter

Mark Symonds Colin & Mark Caliban Scott Sellers

SECTION 2 Chicago-Mackinac Trophy Division

Woody, John & Will Hansmann Robert Evans Jim Caesar

SECTION 6 Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division 3. Hot Ticket 2. Evvai 1. Elbow Room

Robert Christoph John J Gottwald Thomas & Beth Ann Papoutsis

SECTION 3 Chicago-Mackinac Trophy Division

Vanessa L Gates & Patrick Bredlau Joe Hummel & Beth Lore J Lawrence Taunt

J/109 Mackinac Cup Division 3. Bloodline 2. Goat Rodeo 1. Liquid Lounge II

3. Loki 2. Eagles Wings 1. Renegade

3. Vincitore 2. Mockingbird 1. Natalie J

Gary Feracota & Jim Banovitz Chris Duhon Philip & Sharon O’Niel III

MULTIHULL Chicago-Mackinac Trophy Division 1. Caliente

Michael Steck

SECTION 5 Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division 3. Mosquito 2. Chico 2 1. Eagle

Dave Radtke Jim Weyand Jerry & Shawn O’Neill

OVERALL WINNERS & MAJOR TROPHIES RACING MULTIHULL DIVISION

CHICAGO-MACKINAC TROPHY

1st to Finish Racing Multihull Division Martin D. Rieck Trophy Recipient Caliente | Michael Steck

3rd Overall Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division • 1st Place Beneteau 36.7 Free Radical | Robert Nelson & Anthony Bowker

RACING MONOHULL DIVISION 1st to Finish Racing Monohull Division Royono Trophy Recipient OC 86 | Oakcliff Sailing

CRUISING DIVISION 1st to Finish Cruising Division Ile Aux Galets Cup Recipient Eagle One | Timothy LaRiviere 3rd Overall Cruising Division • 2nd Place Cruising 3 Endeavour | Matthew & Emily Gallagher 2nd Overall Cruising Division • 1st Place Cruising 3 Perception | Capt. Bryan Smith & Ron White 1st Overall Cruising Division • 1st Place Cruising 1 Vanenna Cup Recipient Eagle One | Timothy LaRiviere

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2nd Overall Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division • 2nd Place Section 9 Souvenir | Steve Schiller 1st Overall Chicago - Mackinac Trophy Division • 1st Place Section 9 Providence | Jerry & Greg Miarecki

MACKINAC CUP 3rd Overall Mackinac Cup Division • 3rd Place J/111 Pterodactyl | Mark Symonds 2nd Overall Mackinac Cup Division • 2nd Place J/111 No Quarter | Colin & Mark Caliban 1st Overall Mackinac Cup Division • 1st Place J/111 Clark - DeRoy Trophy Recipient nosurprise | Scott Sellers

THE 2021 LIPTON CUP BY DANIEL SANDOVAL

As a junior sailor, who has grown up sailing 420s and Sonars at CYC and sailing on bigger sailboats including Photo courtesy of Mark Albertazzi

our family’s Beneteau 36.7 “Karma”, I felt honored to have been selected to be a member of the CYC Lipton Cup race team. I knew I could contribute to the team and looked forward to getting to know the other team members. Leading up to the event, the team was able to practice a few times in Chicago, but were limited to heavy breeze conditions given the Fall weather. This meant we would have to practice before the event in San Diego to get comfortable in light air conditions. Fortunately, I had raced on a J105 during the summer so I knew my way around the boat. The preparation reminded me of a few C420 events, where we were able to practice the day before the event with the goal of working on teamwork and getting a quick sense of the local conditions. The SDYC organized a great event with typical San Diego weather. I had an amazing time being a part of the Lipton Cup team. The competition was tough, with each invited club sending teams composed of good sailors, which led to close racing. The sailing conditions

assisting with gybes and tacks while making sure that my weight was optimally placed on each leg.

were challenging with the shifty, variable winds making

Overall, I personally thought it was a good experience

local knowledge key. As a team, we would meet for a

and I would participate again if asked to do so.

quick breakfast every morning, to talk, and prep for

The communication throughout the boat was insightful

the day, before heading to the boat to get ready. We

and led to teamwork that was critical for our team to be

would talk on the way out to the race course, which

competitive at a high level for this event. While we had

was scenic, but at least 45 minutes to an hour motoring

a number of great starts, the shiftiness of San Diego

each way. We also met for dinner each evening along

Bay favored the local knowledge. Nevertheless, the

with other CYC guests. The team bonded quickly as

team experience was great and an all around great

each member contributed based on their assigned

time to talk, get to know all of them, and be part of

role. I was at mast who was responsible for raising the

the team. I’m sure that if the team competed again, we

halyards, helping hoist and douse the spinnaker and

would apply what we learned this time around. ✶ Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

CHICAGO REGATTA DONATIONS SET NEW STANDARD FOR GENEROSITY BY NANCY SNYDER & SONJA VEILLEUX

The racers, cruisers, paraders, donors, sponsors and auction shoppers who participated in the 2021 Chicago Regatta presented by Wintrust increased their contributions for the fifth year. This year’s event allowed the regatta to donate the most ever to the regatta’s charitable partners, Comer Children’s Hospital, SOS Children’s Villages Illinois and the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation. The largest growth in contributions in 2021 came from our donors, including seven donors at each of the platinum and gold levels, 31 silver-level sponsors and 41 donors giving at the bronze level. “The challenge that we made to ourselves and our participants for 2021 was to ‘do even more,’ and we did!” said Bruce Danly, chairman of the 2021 event. “Outstanding is the word that comes to mind as the many complex pieces of this event came together and our community came through with more generosity and enthusiasm than ever before. We cannot thank everyone enough.” The addition for 2021 of a new Leaderboard contest exploded with donations from coast to coast as friendships around the country were connected to our local waterfront community. Congratulations to the teams that assembled the largest donations and so get their names added to the Chicago Regatta trophy: Ed and Carrie Falkenhayn’s Lake House – a power yacht, Pinnacle Foundation’s Vincitore – a racing yacht and the Women on the Water committee’s Sonar sailing team. We look forward to seeing this new regatta element grow. Nearly 80 boats registered for the day of racing, including one-design fleets, cruisers and DragonForce model sailboat racing. Competitors enjoyed warm sunshine and a moderate southeasterly breeze, offering a day of champagne sailing with clear views of the city’s shore and skyline. The DragonForce racing attracted not only a large field of competitors but also drew a crowd of spectators as beautiful late-summer conditions drew everyone to Monroe’s south patio. As the sun set the evening’s activities kicked off with the regatta’s new event, a parade of many of the club’s most elegant and impressive vessels. Parade participants added a new way for us to enjoy Chicago’s 17

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waterfront while making an enduring impact on the lives of children in need. “We loved the casual nature of the event and the opportunity to showcase the charities we supported,” said Kurt Lentsch, CYC’s power fleet chairman who helped organize the parade. “We’re looking forward to including more participants and raising even more funds for our beneficiaries.” Sons of Chicago Band served up lively blues led by our own Gary Feracota. The band had people on their feet dancing on a perfect late-summer evening, delightfully capping off the buffet dinner that featured a Chicagothemed menu. Throughout all the activities, our silent auction saw lively bidding on fantastic items from wine and jewelry to destination vacations. We offer our enormous gratitude to presenting sponsor Wintrust along with the continuing support and generosity of Pinnacle Yachts and Pinnacle

Foundation and our new sponsors, BMW, Larsen Marine and OMEGA.

generosity and love of the water continues to flourish and support the city’s most deserving children.

Many thanks to our medal donors for their gifts to our charitable organizations, and to those who donated extraordinary and memorable items to the Silent Auction.

As always, our volunteer Race Committee did a great job of managing our racecourses and the countless hours and passion unreservedly contributed by the yacht club staff made this year’s event a true highlight of the club’s season!

A special thank you goes out to the event chair, Bruce Danly, with vice chairs Nancy Snyder, Ed Falkenhayn and Gary Feracota and the entire planning committee for their hard work throughout the season to ensure the city’s premier event showcasing our community’s

The 2021 Chicago Regatta thanks you for your participation and donations, and we look forward to seeing you all at next year’s event. ✶

THANK YOU SPONSORS & MEDAL DONORS

PLATINUM MEDAL LEVEL

SILVER MEDAL LEVEL

Will and Tammy Conrardy

Charles & Rita Anderson

The Duda Foundation

James & Susan Armstrong

Edward & Carrie Falkenhayn

Peter & Elizabeth Barrett

Andrew & Patty Hurst

Michael Belsley

Peter Thornton

Jeffrey Bernacchi

Townsend Family Foundation

Mark Birringer

William and Julie Vitner Family Fund

William & Jude Bloom Jill Brennan

GOLD MEDAL LEVEL

Frank ten Brink Tom & Mary Falck

Commodore Nick Berberian & Nancy Berberian

Carrie Falkenhayn

Bruce & Jill Danly

Charles Gerstner

Cal Falkenhayn Kurt and Dena Lentsch Past Commodore Greg Miarecki and Chris Albanis, M.D. Amy Robertson Jane Stroud Wright Trust

Gary Feracota Rear Commodore Ray Groble Treasurer, Michael J. Kovacs Cari Murray Kremer Warren and Sue Ellen Levins Walter Lisowski Dawn A Mackie Nick and Lauren Manusos Laura Zeman & Tone Martin Cari MurrayKremer Abbey Paving Eric Oesterle

Raymond Oral

Matt & Emmy Gallagher

Sharon and Louis Rosenthal

Captain David & Sharon Galen

Karma Sailing Group - Sandoval Family

Vice Commodore, Lisa Curcio Gaston

Randall Schmidt

Stanley Hill

Derek Torrey Whitford Family Sam & Sonja Veilleux

BRONZE MEDAL LEVEL William Ankenbrandt Cyd Archer Nancy & John Arnold Denise Ashurst James Banovitz Jeff Barton David Baruch Past Commodore Jerry Bober & Sandy Bober Elizabeth Burtt Armand Candea Christy Coon Michael Dannecker Thomas Dodd Steve Dorfman Michael Matthew Frerker

Anthony Hadley Rick & Mary Ann Lillie Josh Lutton Lauren Manusos Dr. Alice Martin & Ted Jones Michael & Merry Mayer Liz & John Newman Ken Nordine & Janice Dale Shawn O’Neill Clark Pellett Jordan Peters Patrick Pilch A David Radomski John & Sally Rudnick Ann Rundle The Sigmond Family Scott and Stevie Sims Owen & Emily Smith Nancy Snyder James Surgue Adam Spense Tom & Liz Sublewski

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Nancy Snyder

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Interior Design | Furnishings | Project Management

773.580.0250 | nsnyder@bonbrisedesign.com | bonbrisedesign.com

WANTED LASER MASTERS SAILORS

this spring, we are launching the first laser masters program at belmont. if you are a cyc member over 30 & you are looking forward to sailing, learning & having fun, contact us today to learn more or enroll. FLOR CERUTTI SINGLE-HANDED COACH

FLOR.CERUTTI@CHICAGOYACHTCLUB.ORG

CRUISING SAIL FLEET BY JERRY GURTHET

What a year, 2021 will go down in the record books as a challenging year for all. The Cruising Sail Fleet was no different. We started out the year planning the season with many restrictions for gatherings and no real timeline for when those restrictions would be lifted. As any good sailor will tell you the trip is always full of course corrections and that’s what happened with the CSF fleet in 2021. We started the year in April with a firepit event at Monroe and in May we had a fantastic outdoor BBQ at Belmont. Both events were a great success and had great turnouts. I think everybody who

not sure who enjoyed the cruise more the kids or the

attended was very happy to be in a big group for the

skippers who got to share their pride and joy boats for

first time in many months.

a fantastic afternoon. In September we did a weekend

Summer came quickly and the restrictions for gatherings began to ease. The entire fleet was happy to have their boats back in the water and we all enjoyed a beautiful summer on the water. Although the Lady Skipper race was canceled because of severe weather we enjoyed our day at the club eating, drinking, and

cruise to New Buffalo with a proper Saturday morning tailgater and some fine dinning at Timothy’s and Casey. The October event “Opera on the Lake” was a fabulous night of opera in the main dining room at Monroe. We will close out the year with our annual holiday party with gospel music, and then it’s onto 2022.

mingling. Most boats stayed the night and participated

The Cruising Sailing Fleet is looking forward to a great

in a fantastic fleet review on a beautiful June Sunday.

2022. We would love any new or old members who are

In August the fleet hosted disadvantage youths from

interested in joining the fleet to contact the vice chair

SOS organization for a fantastic sail on the lake. I am

Jerry Gurthet about becoming active in our fleet. ✶

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POWER FLEET NAVIGATIONAL RALLIES: REVIEW OF THE SEASON 2021 BY ELENA MIROCHNIK & CLYDE AINLEY

Navigational rallies, formerly known as predicted log contests, don’t get as much publicity as the sailing races, but have been run for decades by dedicated followers at yacht clubs across North America and around the world. In Fact, Predicted log racing was the subject of a Sports Illustrated article in 1955 that ran with the headline, “Predicted Log Races Offer Power Cruiser Skippers a Combination of Stiff Nautical Competition and a Relaxing Cruise with the Family”. Our Chicago

every season; and in 2019, we hosted North American Invitational contests with captains from across the country coming to Chicago to compete.

Yacht Club is no exception. We usually run 5-7 contests

HOW DOES IT WORK? For each rally there is a preset course of 12-20 nautical miles. The course has several waypoints (marks) for the skipper to pass in sequence. The skipper chooses his/her own running speed for their boat in advance and predicts the time it will take for their boat to travel from one mark to the next. These predictions can be determined by long hand math, utilizing the distance for each leg on the chart and the chosen speed, but more often skippers rely on navigation software and spreadsheets. The predicted time between each mark and the total elapsed time at the end of each leg is submitted to the Race Committee on a contest form signed by the skipper.

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Although these contests were created by power boaters for power boats, any type of boat can compete in navigational rallies because the contests are usually run at each participant’s speed, generally in the 5 to 15 knots range.

Then the skipper, the crew, and a Race Committee judge board the boat and go out on the Lake to run the course. As they run the course and call their marks, the Race Committee judge registers the actual elapsed time it takes for the skipper to pass each mark. Scoring is determined as a percentage of error between the time the skipper predicted and the actual time the boat took to run each leg. The winner is the skipper with the lowest percentage of error. This may sound simple, but the catch is that no timepieces of any kind are allowed during the contest, and, with traditional predicted logging, skippers must run the course using only their compass and line of sight for direction and engine rpm for boat speed. However, as with all things boating, technology has infiltrated the sport to allow skippers and their crews to utilize chart plotters, auto pilot, and GPS on one or two legs in each contest. This marriage of traditional navigation techniques with limited use of modern marine electronics adds excitement to the contest, while providing opportunities for skipper and crew to learn how to program and operate their electronics while underway. Even with the introduction of electronic navigation, time keeping devices are still disabled or covered and understanding a particular boat’s handling, turning radius, and reaction to wind and waves remain crucial for accurate predictions. Participants sharpen their navigation skills, gain better understanding of their boat’s performance, and, most of all, enjoy a day on the water. Contestants coming in first, second, and third receive a brag flag and everyone earns points toward the Club Championship. The Club Champion is determined by the cumulative results of all rallies. The last rally of the season is also a standalone contest for receiving the coveted Nicholas C. Giovan Memorial Trophy, named after storied predicted logger Nicholas C. Giovan, a legend in the sport, who once won all four local trophies and accomplished an unprecedented sweep of all five national trophies with a record 16 wins out of 20 contests in a single year. In 2021, the CYC Power Fleet organized 7 rallies on courses created by its members. In addition to the traditional navigational skills, marine electronics were incorporated on some legs requiring crews to program GPS coordinates on the fly and track to waypoints

with autopilot. The competition was tight but, in the end, both the Club Championship and Giovan Trophy went to Kenn and Loren Wolf and their boat “Noanne”. Congratulations Kenn and Loren! Their names will be inscribed on the Giovan Trophy and a photo of their boat will hang on the Power Fleet wall at Monroe station. Walter “Sonny” Lisowski, captain of “Mirage” took 2nd place in Cub championship, and Clyde and Meg Ainley and their boat “Spontaneous” took 3rd place. Kenn and Loren also represented the Chicago Yacht Club in San Diego at the North American Cruiser Association rallies this year and took a phenomenal 4th place, only 0.004% difference behind 3rd. Many thanks to our Wintrust sponsors, the contestants, race committee, and the CYC staff of both stations who worked hard to create a successful 2021 Season at the CYC. We look forward to next season and invite all members, regardless of their fleet affiliation or boating experience, to join the fun and comradery. ✶ Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

WOMEN ON THE WATER BY NANCY BERBERIAN

The Women’s Committee of the Chicago Yacht Club continued to provide a full array of activities for the women of the Club throughout the last half of the year. The women were on the water this year and having fun! After completing 12 Friday night Sonar sailing sessions in August, WOW participated in the Inter Committee Challenge and had three Sonar boats in the Chicago Regatta. These robust On the Water activities will continue in 2022. We were equally active on land this Fall. From an evening with the crew of the Maiden Factor, to enjoying wine paired with Chef Larry’s amazing creations at the Harvest Wine Dinner, and to participating in the popular Networking Club Crawl, the ladies enjoyed their time at CYC. The year concluded with the WOW Holiday party. With over 50 guests, the ladies shopped for jewelry from Kendra Scott and made ornaments under the guidance of Sara Proctor. A great time was had by all. The Women’s Committee has begun planning for 2022. The year will kick off celebrating International Women’s Day. We will have new craft activities and an evening with the CYC Pastry Chef, learning baking and decorating tips. Dinner lectures are in the works along with the traditional events. And of course, the WOW Sonar Sailing Series will continue. A special thank you to the Women’s Committee members for all their hard work and great ideas! Please keep reading Dock Lines and the CYC Calendar for future WOW events. All members are welcome and we look forward to seeing you at WOW events throughout the season. Happy Holidays and a healthy, happy New Year! ✶

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DAYBREAK BY CHRISTOPHER CHATAIN

My father, Bob Chatain, a CYC club member since 1957, sailed all his life (1919-2006). First C-scows at the family cottage on White Lake, Michigan and then big boats in Chicago starting in 1954. He sailed three Mackinacs (1955-57) on “Barb,” the 40’ Owens Cutter out of Jackson Park Yacht Club that had a great rivalry with “Marlin”, another Owens Cutter out of CYC Belmont Harbor. Then in 1958 he bought a 33’ Alden Malabar Sr. sloop from The Netherlands, the first in the line of “Daybreaks.” We always raced as a family boat with my mother, Kay, and us three sons Bob, Chris, and Pete. After the Alden (1958-72) he got a Cal-40 (1972-74), then a Palmer-Johnson 43 (1974-79), then a New York 40 (1979-89) and finally a J-33 (1989-2006). We have his half-models on a display plaque with the specifications of each boat, showing the evolution of cruising boats racing over 40 years. Sea stories, sea stories, there are many sea stories. He sailed 46 Mac’s, my mother sailed 26 Mac’s; my brother Pete was an Island Goat. “Daybreak” floated 4 inches over its waterline on the first Mac, loaded with provisions for a 4-week post-race cruise in the North Channel, including fishing poles and BB guns. Mom’s pre-cooked breaded pork tenderloin patties for every first night’s meal and the packages of hot dogs for Thursday finishes (we did have one). Towing our Grumman dinghy out to the USS Mackinaw before a start, Dad hauling it up the ship’s gangway as it would carry it up to the Island for our post-race cruising. That first “Daybreak” went from being the smallest boat in the fleet in 1958 to being the only wooden mast in its race division. The Cal-40 with its “elephant snout” spinnaker pole end fitting for dip-pole jibes: all those Merriman swivel-snap-shackle blocks, sanded and varnished each year; the evolving science of antifouling bottom paints; huge bloopers (yuk) and the sophistication of tape-drive mylar sails. Bags and bags of used sails, cut-down, carried forward to each successive boat. Finally topped off with the J-33, a terrific boat, over-all winner of the 1993 Chicago-

1958 ALDEN

2021 J-109

LOA 33’3”

35’3”

LWL 24’2”

30’6”

Beam 9’9”

11’6”

Draft 5’0”

7’0”

Displacement 13,000 lbs. Sail Area

544 sq. ft.

10,900 lbs. 644 sq. ft.

J = 12.8 ft.

13.3 ft.

P = 36.6 ft.

43.25 ft.

I = 40.8 ft.

46.5 ft.

E = 16.5 ft.

15.5 ft.

Mackinac when the whole 245-boat fleet sailed only under PHRF. Next summer there will be another “Daybreak” on the water, a J-109 sailed by me and my wife, Kim, and four sons Charles, Ted, John and Peter (if we can get them all back into town for the week). My Dad was complemented in having three sons, a built-in crew. He would reply that he would have preferred to have daughters. With sons, he was stuck with them. With daughters, he could have cycled through all their boyfriends, keeping on the best ones for crew, or, discard and draw again, as required. This summer, we may even have a great-grandson of Dad on board. ✶

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H E A R T F E LT L E T T E R F R O M LONG-TIME MEMBER BY RICK VAN MELL

Stan Mehaffey (Old Guard Committee Chair), First, I can’t begin to thank you (and Betsy Barrett) enough for sorting out the membership data that brought me into the very special world of the Old Guard. When I left Chicago for California in 1985 I knew I wanted to some day come back and race in an Old Guard Race. Little did I know that it would take 36 years! Second, it was a very humbling feeling to be racing with fellow members who had done dozens of Mac races, and even won section and 2nd overall this year. As I returned to Belmont and Monroe street, I took a look at the older trophies and there were the names of this year’s Old Guard skippers. What a good feeling that we are still here 60 years later! Third, your Old Guard Committee put on a first class event. Starting with the classy luncheon at Monroe Street, then followed by a first class race at Belmont. The Belmont beverages and lunch, led by Marc Anderson, was delicious and graciously served. The Sonars were rigged and ready as we stepped aboard. The Race Committee, using the Mark Bots (hey – they sometimes moved faster than we did!) pulled off a great course. Why, Mark Croll even said at the closing ceremonies, that they were aiming for a 45 minute race and the first finisher did it in 46 minutes! Fourth, at the closing ceremonies, I want to apologize for not recognizing Peter Barrett, Don Glassel, Art Atkinson, and Samuel Sax for their tremendous contributions to CYC over all these years and the great job done by the Race Committee. It was ironic, perhaps, that Nancy (Wendt) Sindelar was the PRO. I sailed my first Mackinac on the Wendt’s boat, Reverie, at age 16. Fifth, at lunch on Friday at Monroe Street I was talking with Betsy, our CYC Librarian, and learned that we did not have a copy of “There Will Always Be A Mackinac Race” in the Club’s collection at the Historical Society. It is a wonderful compilation of the logs of the winners of the races up through 1924 which are pungent with the feeling, drive and style of racing 100 foot boats in coat and tie. I have a copy of it and will send it to her to fill the gap in the CYC collection. 25

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

Sixth, after coming ashore, I watched out of the Belmont windows as the CYC crew unrigged the Sonars. Each sail was rolled up, put in its bag, sheets and halyards set secure and then cleanly moved back to their berths on the shore docks. Compliments to Jim Williamsen and Skip Dieball’s team. Nicely done. Seventh, as my crew could tell you, I kept saying, “I just don’t believe it,” when I finished first. It was just so special for me that it brought tears to my eyes. It happened that on Saturday, July 31, 4 days before the race, Mary Kay Van Mell, my father’s wife from 1989 through 2004, died in Stuart, Florida at age 96. As we began to prepare the house for sale, we found seven Jefferson Cups from the Old Guard that my father had earned over the years. They will join mine as a continuing tribute to the Old Guard. So this is why the Old Guard is so special. We have raced against each other, but we have sailed together and the memories are strong and bind us together. May it remain so for many years going forward. Cheers, Rick Van Mell ✶

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S U M M E R 202 2 S AI L ING S C H OO L AT BELMONT STATION

The CYC Sailing School is coming off a fantastic 2021 on the water! With planning well underway for Summer 2022, we’d like to share some 2022 program information with the CYC Membership. Registration for CYC Members opens January 1, and registration for non-members begins February 15th. Please register early to ensure that you receive a spot in your preferred classes and sessions.

SESSION 1 June 13 - 24

SESSION 2* June 27 - July 8

Save the dates! Our “Back to Sailing School” kick-off will be held at Belmont Station May 31, 2022, and two family-fun nights will be held June 28 (family sailing) and August 2 (talent show) at Belmont Station. More information and class descriptions can be found at: https://www.chicagoyachtclub.org/sailingschool

SESSION 3 July 11 - 22

SESSION 4 August 1 - 12

TWO-WEEK PROGRAMS (M - F) FROM 8:30 A .M. - 3:30 P.M. SEA MONKEYS (Ages 7 - 8)

ADVENTURE BOATING (Ages 11 - 15)

LEVEL 1 (Ages 9 - 11)

BEGINNER 420 (Ages 12 - 17)

LEVEL 2** (Ages 9 - 11)

INTERMEDIATE 420 (Ages 12 - 17)

LEVEL 3** (Ages 9 - 11)

ADVANCED 420 (Ages 12 - 17)

ONE-WEEK PROGRAMS

AM/PM HALF DAY PROGRAMS

HIGH SCHOOL PIPELINE (Ages 14+) August 15 - 19

KEELBOAT KIDS (Ages 5 - 7) August 15 - 19 DINGHY DEMONS (Ages 5 - 7)

RACE TEAMS

August 15 - 19

CLUB 420 ** | LASER **

*No classes on Monday, July 4 ** Must have completed prior level & approval of Sailing School

OPTIMIST RWB ** | OPTIMIST GREEN ** June 13 - August 12

chicagoyachtclub.org | (312) 861-7777 ext. 5564 | katie.tinder@chicagoyachtclub.org

U.S. SAILGP: ‘FOILING FIRST’ BY CHARLOTTE HARRIS

I have been sailing optimist for the past 4 years, and have always wanted to try foiling. But in September, I got my chance. My name is Charlotte Harris, and I am a twelve-year-old CYC Opti sailor. Trust me, I love my Opti, but I eventually wanted to try something a little more exciting. And when I got the opportunity to try a foiling boat, I was over the moon! My dad, John Harris, has a competitive history in Moths, a fast-flying foiling dinghy. He would always tell me about the crazy things he had done with his boat, and the fun he had! Naturally, I had always wanted to follow in his footsteps and foil. But obviously, my parents definitely did not want to buy me one, due to the cost and how dangerous they can be. And well, I got the chance to foil and I took it! When I got to the location, I had the craziest butterflies in my stomach. I was quite literally shaking. We accidentally arrived half an hour early, so I had a chance to look around at the boats. I relaxed a bit when I saw my opti coaches Flor and Meghan. But the butterflies were up and partying again once I saw a camera crew! They were interviewing some person, and I was honestly hoping that they didn’t interview me, or I would make the biggest fool of myself. They didn’t before I sailed, and I was relieved. I climbed into the powerboat with

the Nikki, CJ (the person who would be coaching me), and the person I would be switching off with. He looked to be about three or four years older than me, so I felt certain he would go first. Then I would be able to see what to do. But when they said, “Okay Charlotte, you’ll be going first. Hop in!” I was the picture of shock. But I said yes anyway, trusting CJ to keep me afloat. I had to wear this helmet, which had a radio system in it so that I could talk to CJ. The helmet kept falling off because it was too big for me, along with the provided giant life jacket, but they would have to do. As soon as I was in the boat and CJ let go, I felt myself gathering speed, and I heard the gentle humming of the foils. I was flying! I was going faster than ever! But then I felt myself falling, falling, falling. “Trim in!” Said CJ over the radio. But it was too late, and I was plunged into the icy water. But I didn’t care. I had foiled! The rest of the two days went like that, and I had many bruises. But I barely felt them. I did end up getting interviewed, and it was pretty scary. But I hardly minded. I feel so lucky that I had this opportunity, and I would definitely do it again! I couldn’t have done it without CJ, Flor, and my dad. Now I know what it feels like to fly! ✶

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CONGRATUL ATIONS!

202 1 HO N O R E E S JACK BALDWIN 1st Place ILCA7: 2021 MISSA Cressy Qualifiers

JOHN LEAHEY, DAN BURNS, WILL HOLZ OF ‘DUTCH’ 1st Place: J88 Division, 2021 Charleston Race Week

PETER BARNARD 1st Place Laser Radial: 2021 Miami Sailing Week 4th Place (out of 66): 2021 US Youth Championship

GENE MCCARTHY Record Holder for Most Mac Races Completed: 65 Competing in 66 Mac Races Total

2nd Place ILCA6: 2021 MISSA Cressy Qualifiers: 1st Place: Great Lakes Qualifier

GRACE RENZ 2021 ILYA Top Female (2nd year in a row)

TAYLOR CANFIELD 1st place: M32 World Championship

STEPH ROBLE & MAGGIE SHEA

1st Place: 2021 Congressional Cup, LBYC 5 Time Congressional Cup Winner

202One Olympics, Tokyo

ALEX CURTISS

LOU SANDOVAL

1st Place: 2020 US Sailing Champions of Champions, BYC

2021 Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee

BRIDGET GROBLE & AISLING SULLIVAN

DON WILSON

3rd Place: 2021 US Women’s Match Racing

1st place: M32 World Championship

Championship, SDYC

1st Place: 2021 M32 North Americans, Newport, RI

PETER HOLZ

KENN & LOREN WOLF 1st Place: 2020 & 2021 CYC Predicted Log

1st Place: 2021 US Match Racing Championship, LBYC 2nd Pace: 2021 Chicago Grand Slam, CYC

4th Place: 2021 National Predicted Log, SDYC Stone Trophy: 2021 North American Cruiser Associations

3rd Place: 2021 Oakcliff International Currently Ranked 15 on 2021 WMRT Leaderboard

202 1 H O N O R R O L L HELMUT JAHN

LINDY THOMAS

2012 Farr 40 World Champion

Raced in 41 Mac Races, Member of the Island Goat Sailing Society

2009, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Farr 40 North American Champion

2016 Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee

1993 IMS World Champion

Designer/Builder Thomas 35 & LS 10

1994 Commodore’s Cup World Champion 1997 Admiral’s Cup World Champion 29

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LOUIS SANDOVAL : LAKE MICHIGAN SAILING HALL OF FAME BY LOU SANDOVAL & MARIE CASTAÑEDA Chicago Yacht Club Past-Commodore Louis Sandoval was inducted into the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame on December 8, 2021, as part of the Club’s annual honors ceremony. Every year, the Lake Michigan Sail Racing Federation (LMSRF) member clubs and organizations can nominate one or more members that they feel are worthy of this honor. Candidate eligibility is based on having dedicated their lives to the betterment of Sail racing or by having contributed through innovations to the sport. After careful vetting, Nominees are provided with permanent recognition in the sport through the hall of fame. Commodore’s Sandoval’s path to the water was an atypical one. Having navigated over 30,000 miles- He first experienced sailing through his achievement of the small boat sailing merit badge enroute to his Eagle Scout award in Scouting. He would take a brief hiatus from the sport during his collegiate studies and resume the sport sailing J-24s. His career later took him to Seattle, Washington where he had the opportunity to sail locally and in several offshore classics in the Pacific Ocean. His career travels would later take him to Miami, Florida where he continued his sailing career in the Southeast part of the country in numerous buoy and distance races. Lou would return home in 1997 where he would buy a boat with his brother and friends which eventually lead to his purchase of the Beneteau Dealership serving the Great Lakes- Darfin Yachts. They would later change the name to Karma Yacht Sales and as one of the top Beneteau Dealers in North AmericaSandoval and his business partner were instrumental in the formation of two key racing fleets in Southern Lake Michigan. Among the hundreds of

cruising boats that they sold, Sandoval was instrumental in the formation of the First 36.7 and 40.7 fleets, while competing in the former and selling over forty boats in Lake Michigan while owning the dealership. The First 36.7 fleet remains a mainstay in Lake Michigan racing to this date with over sixteen boats competing in regular fleet racing. A fiercer competitor, Commodore Sandoval has competed in 21 Mac Races. He has won the Race to Mackinac nine times (a storied eight times in eleven attempts aboard his boat KARMA and once in 2018 on SV EAGLE). He holds wins in numerous buoy and other distance races in over three decades of racing. Sandoval also contributed selflessly as a volunteer for over two decades, serving as fleet secretary, LMPHRF delegate and of course in his work at Chicago Yacht Club where he was chair of the Mackinac Race in the wake of the Wingnuts accident in 2011. He was active in club leadership serving on the board, Flag and as 69th commodore of Chicago YC during the pandemic. Lou’s real passion was in sharing the sport with underserved communities. Having come from a working-class

family- he knew of the transformative nature that sailing can have on a young person’s life and has worked tirelessly through his roles in Scouting and within the industry to serve as an advocate for diversifying the sport of sailing. His love of STEM education had him be a primary contributor to the REACH STEM Sailing handbook for the governing body of the Sport. In 2020, he became the key architect of US Sailing’s DEI strategy to growth the reach of the sport in underserved communities. The board of directors of the Chicago Yacht Club, based upon the recommendation of Dr. Ignacio Gallardo, Admiral Sam Sax, Judge Stanley Hill, and Warren Levins saw fit to nominate Lou to the Hall of Fame in December 2020. His nomination was approved by the review committee of LMSRF, and he was officially inducted December 2021. When asked what accomplishment he was most proud of in his decades of experience he replied, “I have been very blessed to experience the water and my most glowing accomplishment has been sharing that love with my daughters Sofia and Sarah and my nieces and nephews so that they might continue in the sport that I love so much. Thank you to the Chicago Yacht Club and all involved. This is a true honor you have bestowed on me.” ✶ Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

WHAT A YEAR: ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE BY NICK NABER

Here’s to another successful year. The Associates Membership, led by the Associates Committee, is chaired by Nicholas Naber and vice-chaired by Hannah Pustejovsky. With the year coming to an end, the Associates Membership is excited to have welcomed 58 new associate members in 2021. Throughout the year, we have launched many new events including the Speakeasy Soiree, Oktoberfest, Comedy Night, and the Associates Playpen Raft-Up.

to drive cross-club collaboration and engagement.

We have launched an “Around the World” happy hour

Last but not least, it is important to the Associates

series with monthly themed events.

Committee that we expand the committee’s focus on

A big part of the New Year is about making resolutions

diversity, equity, and inclusion.

and we have some goals of our own for the new year.

We have a lot of fun events coming in 2022. As always,

We plan to harness momentum and creativity from all

we invite you to join in on the fun and meet the

the 2021 events and drive membership engagement

Committee at our next event or meeting. We hope see

forward. We also want to partner with other committees

you there! ✶

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CHICAGO YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION: EDUCATION PROGRAMS BY ANN L RUNDLE, DIRECTOR CYC FOUNDATION

One of the Core programs of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is our education program. Over the years the Education Program has evolved and grown to include

summertime

Education/Careers

sessions

expanding on our existing after-school curriculum. Our education sessions take place at CYC’s Belmont facility. It’s the perfect setting along the lakefront, and the kids get a kick out of the fact that our clubhouse sits on a barge. I remind them that technically speaking, when they step on the barge, they are on a boat (of sorts). Something that we club members take for granted, just walking onto the barge; for the kids we host it’s an adventure just to come visit our club. The core after-school education session includes classroom teaching, followed by a hands-on portion,

is a hands-on experience; in good weather we take the

and concluded with a pizza buffet. (One young boy

kids out sailing on the yacht club’s Sonars. During the

this past fall declared chef Michael’s pizza “the best

winter months and when there is inclement weather,

pizza ever!”) The Foundation has been partnering with

we have a module that teaches the kids how a boat

the Union League Boys & Girls “Club One” group from

floats and have the kids build their own “cargo ship” out

Pilsen for over the past five years, hosting a group of

of Legos. So far, the record for the most cargo was set

15-20 kids in each monthly session during the school

during the December 2021 session with an impressive

year calendar. Our typical sessions start out with some

cargo carrying capacity of 67 machine nuts for the

classroom training; a module that teaches them a little

team from Pickard elementary school with their cargo

bit about the Great Lakes and its influence on Chicago’s

ship named “Big Blue”. (Hint, I had told them I was a

economy and growth to become an important global

Naval Architect from University of Michigan, so I think

city.

Did you know there is a mnemonic to help

they were trying to influence the teacher!) The kids

remember the names of the five Great Lakes? H-O-M-

get into creating their ships, and really understand the

E-S: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior! It’s fun

importance of maximizing the displacement of their

to see how the kids are amazed at what’s happening

designs. It’s always a moment of wonder when they

in the water around them and how important it is to

realize that indeed (with some help from aluminum foil

commerce, recreation, and just plain old drinking

for watertightness) their boat can actually float! And

water! Many of the kids that we host in our education

then the suspense begins as we load up the ship with

program have never been to the lakefront, and very few

machine nuts for cargo. Each session I can recognize

have been on a boat. The second part of each session

some potential future engineers! Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

When we are fortunate to have good weather, instead

the Sonar was thrilled, she was so impressed that they

of building cargo ships, we take the kids out sailing on

could actually see the skyline and Navy Pier from a boat

the club Sonars. Kudos to the CYC On-The-Water team

that they were sailing themselves! WOW!!!

for their support in getting the boats rigged and staffed. The instructors take the time to teach the kids a little bit about sailing, how a boat moves through the water, and give each kid a chance to steer the boat and trim the sails. It’s something most of us take for granted, but for these kids, once they get over the newness of being on a small boat, it’s something unbelievable! The smiles and looks of pure joy are really incredible. Just this past fall, one of the young ladies who went out on

The foundation began partnering with the Explorers group of My Block My Hood My City in the Fall of 2020, and they have become a regular part of our afterschool education sessions during the school year. The Explorer participants come from the Noble Network of CPS charter high schools, covering the south, west, and north sides, the program is focused on helping these high school kids “explore” the possibilities in their city. Each month we host a group of 15-18 kids. Most of these kids have seldom had the opportunity to visit Chicago’s lakefront, and rarely have they had a chance to go out on the water sailing. It’s really rewarding to see them cautiously get on the Sonars at the start of the sail, and by the time they get back they are like old hands and can’t wait for the next opportunity to go sailing. The focus of the classroom training for the high school kids is similar to the middle school program, with more of a focus on career opportunities in maritime. This summer, based on an introduction from the CYC flag, the foundation expanded our education program and developed an Education/Careers curriculum,

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

hosting the West Garfield Park Fathers Who Care

and earning her US Coast Guard license and owning

organization headed by Reverend Jones. This program

her own power boat. Plus, she brought her boat up

consisted of four separate Tuesdays in June and July with

to Belmont and took all the kids out for a fun cruise

the first half of each session featuring guest speakers

along the lakefront! Our last session was on “Chicago

with careers in the marine industry. Personally, I have

Harbors and Captains” and we had a great assembly

always wanted to tie in career opportunities for the

of guest speakers: Scott Stevenson (Executive Vice-

kids we host, so this was a great opportunity to test

President Westrec), Joe Williams (Harbor manager

it out. We were fortunate to line up a great group of

Jackson Park Harbor), and Capt Stafford Crossland &

volunteer speakers to tell the kids a bit about how

Gerry Miarecki (Chicago Maritime School). Scott and

they got into maritime careers and give them some

Joe spoke about career opportunities in the Chicago

insight on potential careers, as well as near-term job

Harbor system, and Stafford and Gerry spoke about

opportunities. Special shout-out to Ray Groble who

opportunities as a commercial boat captain.

was my sounding board for creating the curriculum,

the highlight for that session was being taken out for a

and to Sonny Liskowski for helping me line up some of

lakeside cruise in Scott’s 42’ Tiara. Scott was the perfect

the guest speakers.

host and made sure that every kid got a chance to steer

Joey Harris and Michael Anderson spoke to the kids about careers as sailing school instructors (we even helped one young man get into the After-School

I think

the boat; they all just loved having the chance to be driving such a beautiful boat, and enjoying the late summer afternoon cruise.

Matters sailing instructor summer program), followed

I realize that not everyone at the yacht club understands

by pizza and sailing on the club Sonars. Mila Marshall

or realizes what the CYC Foundation does, I hope

spoke about career opportunities as a marine

this article gives you a glimpse into one of our Core

environmentalist, followed by another session of pizza

programs. I know for myself, after I walk away from

and Sonar sailing. Congressman Danny Davis came

an education session with these kids, I smile and think

and spoke to the kids about all of the resources and

“this is what the Foundation does”.

opportunities in Chicago. Captain Tiffany Taylor spoke about growing up on the west side, working hard,

We will be starting up 2022 with more after-school programs with Club One and My Block My Hood My City as well as expanding the

Education/Careers

curriculum

launched

this summer. The dates for our sessions will be posted on the yacht club’s calendar, I welcome you to stop by if you get the chance to learn more

about

what

your

yacht club foundation does for Chicago’s youth. ✶

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

CY-SCENE

100 BOATS ON A BEER CAN

THE VERVE CUP

CHICAGO REGATTA

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

SHELDON CLARK REGATTA

U.S. SAILGP ‘FOILING FIRST’ CLINIC

TOTALLY 80’S MYSTERY PARTY

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

CY-SCENE

INTER COMMITTEE CHALLENGE

KID’S HALLOWEEN PARTY

SAFETY AT SEA

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

Celebrating 15 award-winning years, our family-owned design firm can now customize plans and bring value to every room in your home. From amazing kitchens and baths to beautifully appointed living spaces, your design dilemmas are our springboard to creativity and personalized results.

kitchenstudio-ge.com

630.858.4848 Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

N OW B O OK IN G YO U R

2022 2023 &

PART IE S A N D EVE N TS

Book Today! Contact our Director of Events Taylor Sparrow Nesbit Catering@chicagoyachtclub.org (312) 861-7770 39

Blinker ✶ Winter 2021

2021 Winter Blinker

Articles inside

CHICAGO YACHT CLUB FOUNDATION

LOUIS SANDOVAL: LMSRF HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

2021 YACHTING HONORS RECIPIENTS

U.S. SAILGP FOILING CLINIC

ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE

LETTER FROM LONG-TIME MEMBER

WOMEN ON THE WATER

POWER FLEET

CRUISING SAIL FLEET

112TH CYCRTM WINNERS

76TH ANNUAL FLEET REVIEW

JUNIOR RACING - LIPTON CUP

FROM THE HELM

LETTER FROM THE OTW DIRECTOR

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

CHICAGO REGATTA RECAP