LETTER FROM LONG-TIME MEMBER

HEARTFELT LETTER FROM 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.

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 ✶