FROM THE HELM

FLAG OFFICERS

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

PAST COMMODORES

Lou Sandoval Leif Sigmond

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

Dear Club Members:

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. The Season kicked off with the 75th Annual Fleet Review, a wonderful Club tradition. We then saw enormous excitement surrounding the return of cruises to various destinations on Lake Michigan, our Community Outreach Programs, and our major Regattas, including the 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