ON THE WATER UPDATE

A REFLECTION ON THE 2022 SEASON

BY REGATTA MANAGER CHUCK NEVEL

I’m compelled to reflect on the past season before I get all dreamy about 2023. 2022 was one of the most memorable seasons we’ve had on the water in a long time.

A FAST AND FURIOUS RACE TO MAC

The 2022 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac was thrilling. The weather was “perfect,” and a good number of boats participated. According to some, it was fast and furious, while others said it was furious and fast. I guess it depended on where your boat was during one of the many squalls that rolled through the race. How fast was the race, you ask? Here is a fun fact – in 2021 Eagle One finished at 23:46:50, the only boat to finish on Sunday. In 2022 Proof finished at 23:13:17, 51 other boats finished in front of her. Whitehawk was the first to finish in 2022 on Sunday at 05:04:13. Despite the 60+ mph winds, waves, thunder and lightning, everyone was safe and had a grand time! I hope you are all looking forward to another great race July 22, 2023.

Verve Cup - Offshore Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust - Racing Starts

AUGUST WAS PACKED FULL OF EVENTS!

The World Match Race Tour Chicago Grand Slam brought seven exciting teams from five different countries. Australia, New Zealand, France, Ireland, and the United States competed. The event was held at our Belmont Station and sailed on the Club’s Tom 28s. Teams battled it out in a series of thrilling races. In the end, it was Team USA’s Chris Poole who took home the win. Chris defeated Australia’s Cole Tapper in a heated battle. The World Match Race Tour returns to Chicago Yacht Club August 17 - 20, 2023. The Verve Cup – Offshore and Inshore were exhilarating! Since the Offshore Verve Cup was held over the Air and Water Show weekend, not only were there three days of great racing for 99 boats, but the Blue Angels came by on Saturday night. Not to be outdone, the 71 Inshore Verve Cup team battled strong in moderate to heavy breezes. A highly competitive J/70s had a fleet of 28. CYC’s John Heaton finished second. The Club will host the J/70 class North Americans September 18 - 24, 2023. The J/70 class is anticipating 80+ boats. This will be one of the largest J/70 events ever held in the Midwest, and CYC is thrilled to host it. Monroe will host the 2023 Offshore Verve Cup August 11 - 13, 2023. Inshore Verve Cup will be held at Belmont August 26 - 27, 2023.

In addition, impressive numbers of youth sailors and skipper/owner volunteers turned out for the Commodore Cup Junior Twilight Navigation Race August 26. This was the Club’s largest event in recent history. Seven boats and 35+ junior sailors enjoyed a sporty start with a quickly dying breeze. Unfortunately, the breeze died so much two of the boats did not finish, but all in all the kids had a great time with fun and prizes provided by Crowley’s Yacht Yard. Congratulations to team Kaze, Sirocco VI, second and Painkiller 5 placing third. The 2023 Race is planned for Monroe August 25.

SEPTEMBER WAS A WHIRLWIND

September rolled up quickly with three great events – Chicago Regatta, Sheldon Clark, and the J/88 North Americans. With 47 entries in the Chicago Regatta, the peppy winds let ten divisions have a great time racing and helped provide funds for three charities. We can’t thank the sailors (and Powerboats) enough for their contributions to fundraising this year. The Sheldon Clark Regatta had 66 entries, with 11 different divisions. The day started light, but the winds and waves built. By race two, we were looking at close to 15 to 18 knots of breeze and two-to-fourfoot waves. Most sailors hung in to finish the day, but some threw in the towel and went early to the Big Kahuna Party.

Nine J/88s used the Sheldon Clark for their tune-up, segueing into J/88 North Americans. The J/88 fleet saw a wide range of conditions during the four-day regatta, some days experiencing very light winds and others encountering solid gusts. Conditions varied so much that it was difficult for any boat to gain a consistent lead. Thursday featured northerly winds topping 20 knots for much of the day, with five- to seven-foot waves. The waves were especially high in the afternoon, and the wind made it difficult for most boats to have consistent results throughout the day. The exception was CYC’s own John Leahey and team Dutch. Dutch won the first three races on Thursday and followed up on Friday with two top-three finishes. John and team Dutch (Dan Burns, Matt Clark, Will Holz, Colin Richards and Mike Rusin) went on to win the Corinthian Division and the top overall boat! Congratulations to team Dutch. These are the highlights. We also had RYF, Cruiser Navigational Rallies, Old Guard Regatta, Skyline Series at Belmont and Monroe. Frostbiting, Singlehanded Halloween regatta and the Inter-Committee Challenge. We ended with the MISSA Great Lakes High School Championship.

WHAT A SEASON!

Dreaming of 2023 and reflecting on 2022, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped me run these events. Our Race Committee has more than 100 volunteers, and they are all amazing people. I couldn’t do it without them!

In addition, a huge thanks to the staff that supported our regatta efforts - from the Front Desk, Maintenance, Front of House, Kitchen, Dock, and On-the- Water team and the behind-the-scenes administration, accounting, membership and communications teams! You ROCK! Now as the snow falls, I will look out my window, sit and dream about how awesome 2023 will be! ✶

Team Dutch wins the J/88 North American Championships