SPRING 2020
1 Blinker | Spring 2020
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD
Communications Chair, Amy Schwartz Nancy Snyder Dot Vartan Jamie Sunderland Tatia Torrey Michelle Ruiz Michael Platzke
MANAGING EDITORS Sara Proctor Nicole Richardson
COMMODORE Lou Sandoval
ARTICLE CONTRIBUTORS Stephanie Roble & Maggie Shea Eileen O’Neill Tom Falck Betsy Barrett Dot Vartan Skip Dieball Elizabeth Haley Kurt Lensch Amy Schwarz Sonia Sandoval Michael Platzke Dustin Toale Geoff Sarm & Mark Svoboda
PHOTO/IMAGE CONTRIBUTORS Sara Proctor Nicole Richardson
ON THE COVER
Stephanie Roble & Maggie Shea
T A B L E
4 5 8 11 13 14 15 18 19 21 24 26 29 30 31
O F
C O N T E N T S
From the Helm Fresh Faces On the Water Calendar CYC Honors Ceremony The Power Fleet Prepares For An Exciting 2020 Season CSF Off To A Great Start Connect with WOW in 2020 No Boat? No Problem! An Introduction to RailMeets Going for Gold at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games Today’s Winners Follow On Successes 56 Years Ago Join The Associates Committee for the All-Club Dock Party Teaching, Challenging, Empowering & Preserving Since 1990 2020 Power & Sail In-Water Technology Showcase CY-Scene
3 Blinker | Spring 2020
From the Helm
2020 CHICAGO YACHT CLUB VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Dear Club Members:
FLAG OFFICERS
In a ‘normal’ year, the Spring issue of the BLINKER trumpets the opening of the harbor season, the opening of the club for the season and the anticipated start of the long-awaited boating season. At the time that I am writing this letter, the year 2020 has proven to be anything BUT normal. It seems like just yesterday we were toasting the start of the new year full of hope and looking forward to a great boating season. We planned the renovation of the Belmont Barge and execution of our 2025 plan. We looked forward to our usual season opening traditions.
PAST COMMODORES
As with much in life, the best laid plans can change. The current circumstances have changed our perspective, yet we yearn now more than ever for the solace that being on the water provides. Under the global pandemic brought on by the COVID-19 virus, our new normal, is defined by social distancing, virtual happy hours, ZOOM meetings and Working from home (WFH). Our state and city officials have placed executive orders for sheltering in place which call upon each of our citizens to flatten the virulence curve by staying home. To do our part, the Chicago Yacht Club has temporarily closed our facilities beginning March 16 and ceasing normal business operations. The original order was extended from April 6th through April 30th. The last time our club saw interruptions of this magnitude was over a century ago during the period from 1916-1921 during which we saw the Spanish Flu epidemic and the start of the First World War.
Lou Sandoval, Commodore Nick Berberian, Vice Commodore Dwain Lutzow, Rear Commodore Rick Lillie, Secretary Louis Rosenthal, Treasurer
Leif Sigmond Greg Miarecki
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Nancy Arnold William Bloom Bruce Danly Ray Groble Michael Kovacs Kurt Lensch Elizabeth Garr Newman Sarah Renz Laura Sigmond Sam Veilleux
CHICAGO YACHT CLUB STAFF General Manager – Dwight Jenson, CCM
MONROE STATION STAFF
Chief Financial Officer – Kelly McGuire Membership Director – Elizabeth Haley Clubhouse Manager – Kristin Aleshire Catering & Events Director – Taylor Sparrow Nesbit Communications Director – Sara Proctor Monroe Executive Chef – Larry Asher Design & Communications Specialist – Nicole Richardson Human Resources Director – Eric Hecksel Assistant Controller – Daniel Post Sous Chef – Silvestro Salgado Design & Communications Specialist – Nicole Richardson Assistant Food & Beverage Manager – Nolan Sanchez
BELMONT STATION STAFF
On the Water Director – Skip Dieball Regatta Manager – Sydney Symons Belmont Chef – Michael Ramos Keelboat & Adult Education Director – Ivan Savel Belmont Dining Room Manager – Candace Towery Sailing Director – Dave Gerber Sailing Programs Coordinator – Sarah Sullivan
As we all shelter from home, we yearn for our old normal, the treasured cocktail at the Mac Bar with friends, the family or business meal overlooking the lake. As we reflect upon what ‘we have lost’ (temporarily), we long to return to the club that hosts our many memories-The Chicago Yacht Club. While it remains to be seen what our new normal will be- a return to the call of the water is for certain. We continue to plan for that day and are optimistic of its arrival. Many thanks go out to our professional staff lead by our general manager Dwight Jenson for their creativity in identifying events that we can do virtually, provided the much-needed visual connection that makes us a club. We have redefined the sense of community albeit from being in person to a virtual connection. Our on-the-water staff led by Skip Dieball has been hard at work preparing for the eventual opening of the season. We all remain optimistic that it is not a matter of ‘if’ rather a matter of ‘when’ we will return to the water. Many thanks goes out to my fellow flag officers Nick Berberian, Dwain Lutzow, Louis Rosenthal and Rick Lillie who along with our committed board of directors have helped navigate our club through some of the toughest decisions one can make in command of a ‘vessel’. Thank you all for your leadership, this is a voyage like no other. It is because of their collective stewardship that we continue onward. Our true north remains what is best for the club, our employees, and our members. Most of all, my thanks go out to YOU- our members for it is through your patience and support during times of adversity that this ship remains fueled, ready for the day that we re-open. Thank you very much for your words of encouragement and notes of support as I stand watch as the steward of our club. It is a true honor. I look forward to seeing all of you at the club under whichever semblance of new normal greets us- we will adapt and persevere. Being a sailor at heart, we have all learned that in the end, there are a few things we need- perhaps this episode in our lives is a reminder of just that. Family, Friendship, our health and well-being are best brought to us in the words of the circumnavigator Robert Lee Graham who set sail on his 24’ vessel “Dove” in 1965. “At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much.” ~ Robert Lee Graham Stay Safe and Healthy! #OneClubCYC #AllInTheSameBoat Sincerely,
Lou Sandoval Commodore, Chicago Yacht Club sandoval@chicagoyachtclub.org Blinker | Spring 2020
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FRESH FACES SKIP DIEBALL, On the Water Director
Ivan brings years of experience teaching adults the joy of sailing through both American Sailing Association and US Sailing accredited schools. As a longtime CYC member, he has participated in buoy racing, charity races like the Chicago Regatta and distance races including the Race to Mackinac. In addition to sailing and racing throughout Lake Michigan Ivan has chartered in the Bahamas, USVI, BVI and Florida and looks forward to bringing Cruising focused classes to Chicago Yacht Club.
IVAN SAGEL, Keelboat & Adult Sailing Director Ivan brings years of experience teaching adults the joy of sailing through both American Sailing Association and US Sailing accredited schools. As a longtime CYC member, he has participated in buoy racing, charity races like the Chicago Regatta and distance races including the Race to Mackinac. In addition to sailing and racing throughout Lake Michigan Ivan has chartered in the Bahamas, USVI, BVI and Florida and looks forward to bringing Cruising focused classes to Chicago Yacht Club.
FLOR CERUTTI, Single Handed/Opti Coach Flor is excited to become part of the wonderful Chicago Yacht Club sailing community. Since sailing in the Optimist class, the sport became her biggest passion and way of life. This devotion pushed her to start a professional sailing career in the European Class, where she had the opportunity to learn, compete and sail with Olympic sailors. Flor won a Bronze medal in the 2003 Pan American Games and participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Her sailing career taught her the values of hard work, ambition, competition and spirit. These essential principles are the basis of her coaching philosophy as an athlete and individual. & practicing yoga. 5 Blinker | Spring 2020
ERIC HECKSEL, Human Resources Director Eric has over 25 years of food & beverage and human resources experience to the team. Prior to joining Chicago Yacht Club, he worked for many fortune 500 companies and national restaurant organizations, such as Walt Disney World Company, The Cheesecake Factory, Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse, and Bravo Brio Restaurant Group. Eric’s education is vast and wide in the field of hospitality and human resources. He holds a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in Human Resources, bachelor’s degree from Grand Valley State University in Hospitality & Tourism Management, and lastly a culinary degree from Le Cordon Bleu. Eric is a sole proprietor for CYC HR. He is the champion for Human Resources, Payroll and Benefits.
NOLAN SANCHEZ, Assistant Food & Beverage Manger Nolan has over 20 years of restaurant experience and has successfully set the stage for several Chicago restaurant openings. In 2005, he had an opportunity to open Moonshine, a brewery in Wicker Park that celebrated an eclectic ever changing neighborhood on Division Street. For the last 6 years, Nolan has been fulfilling his cravings for the hospitality business in local private members only clubs. The University Club of Chicago and Hinsdale Golf Club have provided him with the working knowledge to create effective F&B teams to enhance the quality of members’ everyday experience at the club. Nolan graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BA in Communications and a BA in Political Science. He went on to get a master’s degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago for Hospitality and Tourism Management.
TAYLOR SPARROW NESBIT, Catering and Events Director Taylor joined Chicago Yacht Club in March 2020. She was born and raised in Fayetteville, AR (Woo Pig Sooie!), but has been residing in the Chicago area for the last five years. Taylor is a Johnson & Wales University Alumni ’13 and holds a bachelor’s degree in Event & Entertainment Management, focusing on Food & Beverage Management and International Hospitality Business. Prior to joining the Club, Taylor managed a global portfolio of events for a business intelligence firm, Marcus Evans Inc. She has also spent time as a Conference Services Manager for the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, NC. When she isn’t working, she spends her time trying new restaurants with her husband & practicing yoga. Blinker | Spring 2020
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7 Blinker | Spring 2020
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REGULAR Robert Christoph, Sr. RCI Marine, Inc. Boat: Loki Boat 2: Christi Harbor: Charlevoix, MI
Peter Heppel
Studio Gang Architects Boat: Baby Blue Boat 2: musto Skiff
Frank tenBrink
Timothy W. Bestler
Elizabeth & John Dischner
Merilee Elliot & Dr. Edward Goldfarb
Retired CFO of Stericycle Inc. Spouse: Jeannine Cleary Boat: Flying Dutchman Harbor: Burnham
Brush Hill Global Investment Management Spouse: Marianne
R E G U L A R J O I N T M E M B E RS Nancy Loube & Piter Jelle Breunis Brunswick Corporation & Getronics
Kimberly & Adam Collins
Provisio Partners & Miller Coors
AlixPartners LLP
Boat: Kona II Harbor: Ephraim Yacht Club, Ephraim, WI
Interior Designer & Psychoanalyst
Sally Jo & John Rudnick Cindur, Inc. Boat: Wine Knot Harbor: Burnham
A SS O C I AT E S Heloise Barbier
Kevin Chapman
Ian Cook
Patrick Pilch
Wills Johnson
Shane Selig
Graduate Student at Illinois Institute of Technology
E-Trade
Associate, Gould and Ratner LLP Boat: Althea Harbor: Channel Islands Harbor, CA
Restech Boat: Discovolante Harbor: Newport Harbor, CA
J U N I O RS Timothy Hesse
V E T E R A N T R A N S F E RS Regular to Vet I
Vet II - III
Cyd Archer Bork Maronn Thomas McIntosh Gerald Miarecki Bill O’Brien Oscar Reid Randall Syme
Edward McNulty Tom Sublewski
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CIL Management Consultants
Capital One Financial
Graham Eger
Capital One Financial
A Letter from the Membership Director While there is a lot on our mind as of late, we all look forward to the much needed 2020 summer season. I hope you will think of friends, family, or colleagues who you would love to have join the Chicago Yacht Club. Please consider reaching out and encourage them to join us. I am excited to announce that this year, each current member who sponsors a new member will receive the following: • A quarterly thank you in Docklines • A $500 food and beverage credit ($250 for new associates) • An invitation to an annual dinner honoring all sponsors • Additionally, all sponsors will be recognized at the Annual Meeting For those of you who favor competition, here is what you will receive if you are a top two recruiter of 2020: • The top recruiter for the year will receive a dedicated parking spot at Monroe Station. • The second top recruiter will receive free use of a slip at Monroe Station, with a dedicated placard. Let’s make 2020 our strongest membership year yet! If you have someone in mind for membership, please reach out to me with their information and I will invite them to visit the Club.
Elizabeth Haley Elizabeth Haley, Membership Director Chicago Yacht Club
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CYC Honors Ceremony This ceremony honors Chicago Yacht Club members who have made significant achievements in yachting in 2019.
Group shot (Left to right): Sarah Renz, Maggie Shea, Taylor Canfield, Stephanie Roble, Peter Holz, Ava Wilson, YOUNG GUY BEHIND AVA, Jen Wilson, Madeline Torrey, Charlie Gallagher, Quin Doughty, OLD GUY IN THE BACK, Noah Barton, Fred Hagedorn, Emmett Nevel, Dwain Lutzow (Rear Commodore), Jack Baldwin, Jerry O’Neill, Louis Rosenthal (Treasurer), Lou Sandoval (Commodore), Nick Berberian (Vice Commodore), Greg Miarecki (Past Commodore)
LINDSEY DUDA
Pineapple Cup - Montego Bay Race: Line Honors
WILL HOLZ, TAYLOR CANFIELD, MATT CLARK, SARAH RENZ, GREG MIARECKI, LUKE LECOCHE & NOAH BARTON SDYC Lipton Cup: 2nd Place
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JEN WILSON & AVA WILSON
M32 World Championship: 3rd Place
PETER HOLZ
U.S. Match Racing Championship: 2nd Place
JERRY O’NEILL
Inductee to the Lake Michigan Sailing Hall of Fame
CHARLIE GALLAGHER
USODA Optimist Nationals: New York Yacht Club Sportsmanship Award
STEPHANIE ROBLE & MAGGIE SHEA
Pan Am Games: Women’s 49erFX Silver Medalists Midwinter Championship: 2nd Place
FRED HAGEDORN
US Sailing: President’s Award
JACK BALDWIN, EMMETT NEVEL & QUIN DOUGHTY Sears Cup Nationals: 3rd Place
MADELINE TORREY
USODA Optimist Nationals: USODA Friendship Trophy
BRYON EHRHART
Hong-Kong - Vietnam Race: Line Honors & New Course Record, Monohull Division
DON WILSON & TAYLOR CANFIELD M32 World Championship: 1st Place
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THE POWER FLEET PREPARES FOR AN EXCITING 2020 SEASON Chicago Yacht Club Power Fleet has another full season of events planned; Annual traditions, Cruiser Navigational contests, serving the community and supporting the Club’s mission; as well as Fleet cruises to Kenosha, Hammond and our Annual Cruise to Racine, WI with an extended cruise Door County (Fish Creek), to name a few. The season officially opens with our time-honored Memorial Day Flag Raising Ceremony on Monday, May 25. Naval tradition is that on Memorial Day the flag is flown is halfstaff until 12:00, the time of the final gun of the traditional 21-gun salute and then hoisted. Enjoy brunch at Monroe Station before or after the ceremony and celebrate the beginning of the 2020 season with your fellow members. The Annual In-Water Power and Tech Show occurs on May 29 and 30 at Monroe Station. Open to the public, this event features the opportunity to learn about new technology, educational opportunities and a chance to see some great new boats. SOME OF OUR NOTABLE EVENTS IN 2020: June 5-7 – Shakedown Cruise to Kenosha June 16 & 17 – Special Needs Cruise and Chicago Lighthouse Sight Impaired Cruise for Youth August 4 – Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Chicago Cruise August 18 – Adult Sight Impaired Cruise September 12 – Chicago Regatta Poker Run June 20 - August 29, Power Fleet will host five Cruiser Navigational Rallies which comprise the Predicted Log contest series. Be sure to join us on Saturday, May 16 at Belmont for Cruiser Navigational Rally Training to learn about Predicted Logging and opportunities for participating in the Contests. New, in 2020, the Power Fleet is working on a Beer Can type casual predicted log concept – the Cruiser Navigation Concept provides a format for causal Cruiser Navigational Contests to be run on Saturdays throughout the boating season, with your guests onboard. Stay tuned for details and hope you will join in the fun! On Saturday June 27 in the evening, the Associates Dock Party will welcome all Fleets for camaraderie and celebration. Followed on Sunday June 28 by Chicago Yacht Club’s 74th Annual Fleet Review, another time-honored tradition rooted in Naval history. During Fleet Review, you are able to enjoy CYC’s wonderful brunch, dress your boats with flags, join the procession of boats presented before the Commodore and Flag Officers and reconvene back at the club for a champagne toast and afternoon BBQ. Power Fleet is excited for the 2020 Season events and is looking forward to cruising with fellow boaters on beautiful Lake Michigan. Detailed Information and Registration can be found on the Chicago Yacht Club Website. Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events at chicagoyachtclub.org/clubfleets. Kurt Lensch, Power Fleet Chair Penned by Amy Schwartz
CSF Off to a Great Start The Cruising Sail Fleet got off to a great start for 2020. We assembled a diverse calendar consisting of over 20 Cruising Sail Fleet sponsored or supported events extending from February through December. Our first event of the year, the “CSF Winter Getaway” weekend in Lake Geneva on February 19-21 was a huge success with 24 CYC members and guests gathering for relaxation and dining. The highlight of the weekend was the “Evening with Buddy Melges and Dick Stearns” – a discussion and dinner at the Lake Geneva Yacht Club with two of the Midwest’s truly great sailing legends. Other activities included a wonderful group dinner at the Hunt Club restaurant, a part of the Geneva National Golf Course conclave and Sunday brunch at the historic Baker House. I am happy that the CSF members had this opportunity to relax and laugh before we returned to hibernation. As of this writing due to the Coronavirus we have postponed two events - March 20th dinner and discussion with CSF resident artist Paula Ellis, and our April 18th Meet The Fleet dinner with Cam Davis, former EPA “Great Lakes Czar”, as our speaker. Additionally, we cancelled the March 21st Safety For Cruising Couples, sponsored jointly by CSF and Power Fleet. We will do whatever we can to maintain the 2020 CSF calendar. If required, we will re-schedule these events wherever possible rather than cancelling, and I will keep you informed of changes as they occur. I am hopeful that our summer on the water events will take place as scheduled. Included in those are the two community service cruises (Camp PALS, June 25th, and SOS Children’s Villages, August 6th) as well as our three cruises (New Buffalo, June 12-14; Northport Marine, August 7-9; and Blowin’ In The Wind [wherever the wind wants to take us] September 13-15. All great ways to get back together and reenergize. Please check out our complete calendar for the year at chicagoyachtclub.org/clubfleets. We do hope to see you at many CSF events this summer. Tom Falck Chair, Cruising Sail Fleet
Blinker | Spring 2020
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Connect with WOW in 2020
By: Sonia Sandoval
“The challenges we encounter in life are what force us to grow. They are opportunities for us to rise up and discover what we are truly capable of achieving” Jack Canfield The COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with unprecedented
We are planning a nighttime navigation seminar so we can
challenges and a great opportunity all in one. It provided us
extend our time on the water safely…more to come on that.
with the opportunity to slow down, to re-connect, and to do things differently. In this spirit, we are trying new ways of connecting. We invite you to connect for a complimentary virtual Zumba class on May 9 at 10 am. For more details, visit the CYC Calendar of events. We look forward to getting out on the water soon. The registration for the WOW Sonar Sailing Series is open. Join us and invite your friends to join! Members and non-members are welcome. We will post any revisions to the class dates on the CYC website and e-mail registered participants.
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Lastly, we are very excited to partner with Rent the Runway for the Annual Ladies Luncheon. Get ready to explore a new way of shopping and see the possibilities firsthand at the fashion show. There will be shopping before and after the luncheon. Keep a look out for the new date for this event. You will not want to miss it! Thank you for your continued support and patience as we navigate the uncertainty surrounding dates for our events. We look forward to being with you on and off the water!
W W
CHICAGO YACHT CLUB
WOMEN ON WATER
2020 CALENDAR OF EVENTS LOCATION: MONROE = (M) BELMONT = (B)
FIRST QUARTER
Thursday, January 23 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 30 at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 12 at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 29 at 10 a.m. Friday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m.
SECOND QUARTER
Wednesday, April 22 at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 9 at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 12 at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 21 at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 4 at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m.
THIRD QUARTER
Wednesday, July 1 at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 28 at 6 p.m. Thursday, July 30 at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 27 at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 10 at 6 p.m. Thursday, September 24 at 6 p.m.
FOURTH QUARTER
Thursday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 21 at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 3 at 6 p.m.
Creating Your Own Vision Board (M) The Water is Calling Lecture Series (M) Cambria Estate Wine Dinner (M) The Water is Calling Lecture Series (M) WOW Yoga (M) WOW Creative Event (M)
The Water is Calling Lecture Series (M) Annual Ladies’ Luncheon (M) WOW Zumba (M) Sonar Sailing Series (with Crew U) (M) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Sonar Sailing Series (B)
WOW Happy Hour (B) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Race to Mac: Porch Party at the Grand Sunset Cruise (M) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Happy Hour Wine & Paint (M) Sonar Sailing Series (B) Sonar Sailing Series (B)
Harvest Wine Dinner (M) Night of Networking (M) An Evening with Wintrust (M) Holiday Party (M)
*Dates and events highlighted in yellow are WOW Signature Events.
TO REGISTER:
Blinker | Spring 2020 CONTACT THE FRONT DESK AT (312) 861-7777 OR FRONTDESK@CHICAGOYACHTCLUB.ORG
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17 Blinker | Spring 2020
No Boat, No Problem!
By: Eileen O’Neill
Spring is perhaps my least favorite season. You know it’s about to warm up, but it can still snow, and personally, it’s too damn cold to sail. Mind you I’ll still sail (regret it), get a cucumber bloody from Marc post-racing, but do it all again the next week. It’s a vicious cycle. Spring is also a time when I can’t help but get excited for the new sailing season. I think we’re all going to need things to look forward to in the coming months given how COVID-19 has affected all our lives. However, this isn’t a time to consume oneself with anxiety, it’s a time to do the things our daily lives don’t allow us to do. Here’s a challenge - what is your goal for the upcoming sailing season? And what can you do to achieve that goal now? Personally, I go into each season with a goal in mind. Last year it was be a graceful bow person (To Note: This goal was made after taking a dip after a gybe at the Sheldon Clark. It’s a great story I will share but not here). This year’s goal is a little less specific. It’s about rebuilding. My team and I are participating in the Tom28 racing series and Thursday night sailing (also on the Tom28s). In previous years we’ve participated in Frostbiting and Tuesday Night Sailing. In a way, this year means my team and I have come full circle. My skipper and Chicago Yacht Club member, Andrew Page and I met sailing Tom28s back at Chicago Match Race Center. It’s been a minute since we’ve raced in those boats and we’ll need to shake off and maybe sand down some rust. One thing we won’t be doing is fighting to get the spinnaker into the lazarette after a drop like we do in the Sonars. Which is a very welcome change. This season we will shake off the rust and try to do better each practice and each race. To prepare for this, I am going to watch as many YouTube videos of the Toms and read as much as I can. Whether it’s an article a day or a video a day, I am going to get in the headspace that the season is right around the corner. It’s a great break from the world outside and hey, it may even help! I’m also diligently working out, which is great for wearing myself out and prepping for a good night’s sleep. I’m hoping that building my stamina will also help my patience for the inevitable no wind day, when we are all bobbing along waiting for the breeze to fill in. What we all would do for a day like that right about now…am I right? If you find yourself looking for sailing or racing opportunities, please check out some of the programs CYC is offering for the 2020 season. Crew U, WOW, Thursday Night sailing series, and the Red and Blue racing series (in Sonars) are all open for registration. I think Thursday nights are going to be fun at the club this season. Having the opportunity to be coached by staff is a luxury I don’t get when racing on the weekend. The plan is to go out, do racing drills for as long daylight allows, come in for a drink, food, and a chalk-talk. This is something that every racing member of the club should be taking advantage of.
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An Introduction to RailMeets
By: Michael Platzke
Last spring CYC migrated its Crew Finder website feature over to the RailMeets platform. You can access the new Crew Finder either through the CYC website (look for Crew Finder under the On the Water menu) or directly at cyc.railmeets. com. The two primary reasons that Crew Finder was migrated to this new platform were a) Railmeets provides substantially more functionality and b) the platform operates across the Chicago area yacht clubs, meaning that both crew and boats advertise to a wider audience. Previously, Crew Finder was simply a venue where crew members who were looking for boats, and boats who were looking for crew, could advertise. It was also static, meaning that once you posted, you could never update your listing. The RailMeets platform provides crew and skippers with a login username and password and allows them to update their entries as skills and needs change. Also, in addition to the Crew Finder and Boat Finder functionality, it provides a complete crew management system. This allows the skipper to communicate which races they plan to participate in, for crew members to indicate which races they are available for and interested in, and for the skipper to assign crew and responsibilities for each race. It also provides a platform for communication to the crew. These additional features mean that the new Crew Finder is somewhat more complex to use. To help with this, over the next few months CYC will be introducing a number of tutorials on how to use the various features of the new Crew Finder. Look for these tutorials on the Crew Finder page of the CYC website. Give the new Crew Finder a try and let us know what you think!
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A NOTE FROM THE ON THE WATER DIRECTOR To kick off my first Blinker submission, I want to send a hearty thank you to the many that have extended welcome wishes. It is much appreciated and really has set a wonderful tone as I dive in with my team to make the most of our spring season. Certainly, the entire OTW staff sends our best to all members for good health in these trying times. Before this shelter-in-place, our team met regularly to discuss our original schedule and alternative plans as things started to change daily. The month of March normally kicks off our Scholastic season with daily practices and early season regattas. With schools closing and extracurricular activities stopped out of caution, our creative CYC Sailing Director, Dave Gerber and CYC Sailing School Director, Sarah Sullivan brilliantly moved their focus to on-line learning and coaching via Google Classroom. Lessons, tips and videos are posted there and anything that we can share, we do via our social media outlets. If you are on YouTube, check out the Chicago Yacht Club page to view their creativity. March also kicks off our Frostbite series. Also faced with postponement, Regatta Manager Sydney Symons is actively keeping our talented Race Committee teams engaged with fun emails. The racers can test their keyboard-sailing skill via Virtual Regatta. Sydney has set up a series of races in a password-protected format to ensure that members can rekindle CYC rivalries on the water virtually. Our Keelboat Director, Ivan Sagel, is also adapting to our short-term new norm. He’s got CYC Trivia and How-To videos planned to release over the next several days. Keep a close eye on your email to see how you can participate in these fun activities. I come to Chicago Yacht Club in an unprecedented situation. There is a silver lining in that it has allowed me to learn the programs and help where I can. The OTW team is committed to ensuring that our members get the most out of the love of the water and, like you, we can’t wait for the season to start. In the meantime, please keep an eye on more fun events that we hope provide you with an alternative to your normal shelter-in-place routine. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesistate to reach out to me at dieball@chicagoyachtclub.org. Take care, Skip Dieball On the Water Director
Blinker | Spring 2020
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Roble/Shea Sailing Going for Gold at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games By: Steph Roble & Maggie Shea“ This past February, in Geelong, Australia, Chicago Yacht Club members Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea reached two major milestones in their sailing careers: bringing home a Bronze Medal from the 49erFX World Championship and qualifying to represent Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer. Chicago Yacht Club (CYC) has long supported Steph and Maggie from the beginning; their very first skiff venture was on a CYC 29er back in 2005. Now that they have officially qualified for the Olympics, CYC is continuing to support Roble/Shea Sailing all the way to Tokyo. We hope you will join us April 30th at Monroe for a fundraiser to support Roble/Shea Sailing in their final stretch to the Olympics.
“Our progress, and this entire journey for that matter, would not have been possible without the amazing team behind us. We have an army of supporters, and we are so grateful.” - Maggie Shea After three years of countless events and training all over the world, it all came down to the last leg of the final race in the US Olympic Trials Series. Our Midwest girls edged out the competition in the closest and highest placing US Trials battle so far this quad. The US Sailing Team Trials consisted of two events, the 2019 and 2020 49erFX World Championships, and the team with the lowest cumulative finishing places would qualify to represent Team USA in Tokyo this summer. In the event of a tie, the team with the best overall score at the 2020 49erFX World Championship would win the tiebreaker. Their primary competition for the US berth was Paris Henken, 49erFX Olympian at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and Anna Tunnicliffe Tobias, Gold Medalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the Laser Radial. With a 13th place finish in the 2019 49erFX World Championship, Steph and Maggie were trailing Trials leaders Paris and Anna, who placed ninth overall in that same event, by four points. To win the Trials, Stephanie and Maggie would need to finish at least four places ahead of Paris and Anna overall at the 2020 49erFX World Championship. 21 Blinker | Spring 2020
Both teams posted the strongest scores the US Sailing Team has ever earned in the US 49erFX field and put on a nail-biting show for fans in the process. The teams exchanged the lead in the Trials throughout the entire event and headed into the Medal Race, the final race in the series that counted for double points, with a narrow margin between them. The US Olympic Sailing Team spot was up for grabs. Stephanie and Maggie hit the race course with laser focus, sailed an extremely impressive race, and ultimately won the Medal Race securing a third place overall finish at the 2020 49erFX World Championship. Competitors Paris and Anna crossed the line in seventh place and finished the event in seventh overall.
“We were impressed and humbled by our competitors, Paris and Anna. I learned so much by sailing against them, and the Trials forced us to dig deeper and work harder than we ever have before.” - Maggie Shea Despite the excitement about their Bronze Medal at the 2020 49erFX World Championship and qualifying for Team USA, the team can feel the clock ticking down. With just over four months to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it’s time to take things up a notch. Stephanie and Maggie have organized a packed schedule of events, increased the intensity of their training blocks, and added more people to the Roble Shea Sailing Team to help them achieve their goal. Their schedule features several European training blocks and events followed by three focused trips to Japan, where they will work on speed testing, select final equipment, and learn more about the venue’s unique conditions. The Sailing World Cup Final in June is the premier event on their schedule and will be the team’s final dress rehearsal on the Olympic waters before the Olympic Games. The Olympic Sailing Games will take place from July 28 - Aug 3 in Enoshima, Japan, located 30 miles outside Tokyo. Steph and Maggie have made four trips to Enoshima to train and compete thus far, and say this venue is known for its extreme variability. “The typical, late summer sea breeze can bring really gnarly, on-shore breeze and swell. But during any given week, we also see offshore, shifty winds that don’t fit any pattern. We have to go into July prepared for everything that ocean can throw at us,” said Steph.
“Steph and I have shared this dream for most of our lives, and we have been blessed with the opportunities and support to pursue it.” Maggie Shea You can follow Steph and Maggie’s journey online at their website, on Facebook and Instagram.
@RobleSheaSailing @roblesheasailing
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TODAY’S WINNERS FOLLOW ON SUCCESSES 56 YEARS AGO By: Betsy Barrett
lympics for the 2020 O y ar nu Ja in d ie bers of as they qualif female racers te IL) both mem g et un ilm yo W o , tw ea e Sh e cheered th WI) and Maggi They steadily Club members (Lake Beulah Sailing Team. le ic p ob R m h ly Chicago Yacht O ep S St U . e in July n Am Games d qualify for th oshima, Japan medal in the Pa for the Gold an er o lv G Si to to be held in En a d 16 an 20 rces in Genoa, Italy Club, joined fo in April 2019 in up C ld Chicago Yacht or W a edal at ing a Bronze M improved earn a hard fought 19. ralia. With it, in 20 st st Au , gu ng Au lo in ee in Lima, Peru pionships in G e 2020 U.S. ly, spots on th FX World Cham nt er ta 49 or e p th im at e ce ra n in 2013. medal but, mor won the Medal pionships bega ionship bronze am p ch m Roble and Shea ld ha C or w ld or FX ly a W since the 49er ptured not on t by a U.S. team rs battle they ca fi e th so al was old, though) . Their medal medal (not a G a on w S U e Olympic Team th as 1964, when Stearns and a or in Japan w t Club (Richard m ch hi os Ya En go in ca ld hi C h cs were he Dutchman). e affiliated wit e sailing Olympi al in the Flying ed successes wer M e e es nz th ro of B The last time th o a Tw mpeting. Bill Bentsen won five classes co dy Melges and ud B d an in each of the ar St e edal in th won a Silver M Lynn Williams
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JOIN THE ASSOCIATES COMMITTEE FOR THE ALL-CLUB DOCK PARTY THIS SUMMER! By: Dustin Toale Winter is behind us and spring is on the horizon! The Associate Committee would like to thank all the members that came out during these frigid months to partake in The Fall Club Crawl, Tacky Sweater Party, New Years Eve and the Pink Pony Party! Without the involvement of the entire membership, these events would not be possible. Enough about the cold months, let us look forward to the sunshine and boating ahead of us! We are most excited to announce the upcoming All-Club Dock Party: Sponsored by The Associates Committee at Monroe Station Friday, June 26. Bring your boat down and stay through Sunday for Fleet Review. Friday night will featuring a live Steel Drum Band, so wrap up at the office and come down to enjoy food and drinks as we watch the sun set over the city. The Associate membership would like to thank the club staff and membership for making 2019 a huge success and we look forward to another amazing year in 2020! We hope to see you all very soon, Dustin Toale, Associates Committe Chair
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SUMMER DINING AT CYC By Dot Vartan
The Chicago Yacht Club App can help make your boating season a breeze by taking charge of your meals. With just a few clicks on your mobile device, lunch or dinner is all arranged. • Make a dine-in reservation for Belmont or Monroe using the app. • Order meals for carry out from Monroe using the app. • Plus, you can also get notifications of Mac-Bar Pop Up Specials. The Food & Beverage Team update the menus regularly to keep in touch with the seasons and the latest culinary and beverage trends. There is always something on the menu that will delight your taste buds!
SHAKE IT UP TO AVOID GOING STIR CRAZY Brushing Up on Classic Cocktails at Home by Dot Vartan
RUSTY NAIL Scotch Whisky and Drambuie were popular ingredients for cocktails made in the 1930s. No one knows where or when “Rusty Nail” originated, but by the 1960s, the name had stuck. 1 1/2 oz. Scotch Whisky 3/4 oz. Drambuie Garnish: Lemon peel Pour all ingredients directly into old-fashioned glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish with a lemon twist.
LION’S TAIL One of the great forgotten cocktail ingredients, allspice dram (sometimes called pimento dram), is experiencing a revival and has made this Prohibition-era drink popular again. 2 oz. Bourbon 4 dashes Angostura bitters 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice 1/2 oz. simple syrup 1/2 oz. Allspice dram Garnish: Orange peel Add all ingredients into a shaker with ice and shake for 10 to 15 seconds. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Lightly express the oil from an orange peel over top. 27 Blinker | Spring 2020
DOWNLOAD THE CHICAGO YACHT CLUB APP AND ENABLE PUSH NOTIFICATIONS TO RECEIVE EXCLUSIVE MAC BAR POP UP SPECIALS GET THE APP! Search for Chicago Yacht Club in the Apple Store or on Google Play or use the links below. DOWNLOAD FROM APPLE STORE
DOWNLOAD FROM GOOGLE PLAY
FIRST TIME APP LOGIN: Username: Club website username Password: Club website password After initial login to the App, you should not have to re-enter your information unless: you uninstall the App, purchase a new phone, or log-out of the App. If you have trouble with your login or password, contact Membership Director, Elizabeth Haley, at membership@chicagoyachtclub.org for your login credentials, and she will be happy to assist you. PUSH NOTIFICATIONS: Click ‘Allow’ when the pop-up for “Chicago Yacht Club” Would Like to Send You Notifications. This ensures that you’ll receive all important club communications via push notifications on your mobile device. APP FEATURES: The App offers a wide variety of features right in the palm of your hand. From the App you can: • Register for Club Events • Make Dining Reservations • Make Docking Reservations • Access the Member Directory • View Statements and Make Payments • View Club News • Make Member Rental Reservations
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Teaching, Challenging, Empowering & Preserving Since 1990 The mission of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is to promote awareness and appreciation of the nautical arts and traditions to the Chicagoland community through various activities it conducts, as well as through the support of other charitable organizations. An aim of the Foundation is to do good works that reflect well on the Chicago Yacht Club. The major source of program funding is Chicago Yacht Club member contributions. The Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of Chicago Yacht Club members, each of whom undertakes specific program management of the various Foundations activities, which include the following: Maritime Education - teaches Great Lakes ecology, commerce, and recreation through after-school programs for students from Chicago schools and Boys and Girls Clubs. Inland Seas Voyage - provides high school girls with hands-on experiential learning activities sailing aboard a tall ship schooner in Lake Michigan. They learn lifelong skills of teamwork, leadership, and an awareness of environmental and maritime careers. Scholarships - offers financial aid for youths ages 8 to 19, who are learning to sail, or who are seeking to improve their sailing skills. Grants are also made available to competitive youth sailors. Adventure Boating - a week-long CYC Sailing School program for students ages ten to 14 years. It incorporates science, technology, engineering, and math, in addition to providing boating skills, while exploring the natural world around Lake Michigan. Community Outreach Cruises - hosts hundreds of kids for boat rides on Lake Michigan, a very exciting adventure for them, usually the first time on a boat. Chicago Yacht Club members provide their sail and power boats for these cruises. Neill Advanced Sailing Clinic - for high school sailors, from across the US, to improve their skills. Top-level college and university sailing coaches provide instruction. The Clinic culminates in Race Day, a competitive regatta. Youth Development Programs supported: Sea Scouts of our CYC Ship Privateer- committed to teaching young people the life skills associated with sailing and scouting. Chicago Voyagers - aims to build respect between Chicago teachers and at-risk students. The Carpe Ventus mission is to aid under-resourced youth in the areas of violence prevention and community development. We partner with the Rickover Naval Academy to promote the nautical arts and has introduced hundreds of students to sailing. The sailing program ranges from introduction to sailing, to advanced sailing techniques and racing tactics. Additional similar high school program development is underway. Maritime-related support: Maritime Arts Center Boat Building - teaches at-risk teens important life skills, team-building, and basic tool use. The youth are challenged to build small boats, then launch and row them on local waterways. Financial aid is provided to: Chicago Christmas Tree Ship - gives thousands of trees to those in need. Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing - sailing instruction for the physically disabled. Chicago Maritime Museum - memorializing Chicago’s maritime traditions. Coast Guard Foundation - education and relief to Coast Guard members and families.
Help us continue this valuable work by donating to the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization, 400 E. Monroe St., Chicago, IL 60603 29 Blinker | Spring 2020
2020 Power & Sail In-Water Technology Showcase By Geoff Sarm and Mark Svoboda 2020 marks the 9th Annual Power & Sail In-Water Technology
Last year’s event drew over 900 invitees who enjoyed
Showcase. The continuing goal of this two-day event is to
touring more than 30 yachts from 14 participating dealers,
highlight the Chicago Yacht Club to the Lake Michigan yachting
free drinks and appetizers, live music, and indoor exhibits
community and perspective members by demonstrating the
as well as a hands-on safe boating demonstration for the
Club’s leadership in the nautical arts.
whole family. It was a perfect day with bright skies and
This is accomplished by showcasing the latest in power and sailing yacht technology and is in keeping with the mission of the Chicago Yacht Club to encourage, promote, and develop knowledge, participation, and enjoyment in all aspects of yachting. This FREE family friendly event will once again highlight the latest technology, style, design, and construction features available from various manufacturers of distinctive styles of power and sail yachts in the Great Lakes market. Representatives from the participating dealers and manufacturers will be present to answer questions and discuss the features of the vessels that are open for touring during all event hours. In
warm weather. Special thanks go to Wintrust as a major sponsor for their generous support of this showcase. The event will be held on Friday, May 29th from 3:00 to 9:00 pm and Saturday, May 30th from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm. Live music will be part of the event both days! Chef Larry and the Club staff will serve a delicious assortment of complimentary hors de ‘oeuvres and drinks to all attendees. Visit the Wintrust display while you’re there to check out their offerings. What better way to spend a day or two at the Club! Mark your calendars today! Talk to your family, friends,
addition, indoor exhibitors in the main dining room will display
dock mates and anyone who you believe would be a good
new boating technology, electronics and accessories.
addition to the Club and get it on their calendars. It promises to be even bigger, better and more exciting than ever! Blinker | Spring 2020
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CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY
MAC AWARDS
COMMODORE’S OPEN HOUSE
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CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY
PINK PONY PARTY
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