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LETTER FROM THE ICOYC PRESIDENT
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Getting Together Again
By Leif Sigmond, ICOYC President | Chicago Yacht Club
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As I sit here in the Chicago cold and look out at the empty harbors along the city front, I can’t help but reflect on the ICOYC activities of 2023. Perhaps I’m dreaming of warmer weather and getting together again with good ICOYC friends. Getting together again was definitely a continued theme of 2023.
It all started with the 9th European and South American Regional Conference, which was held over a three-day period, March 9-11, 2023, at Gstaad Yacht Club in Switzerland. I had the pleasure of attending this conference and I am pleased to report that it was both informative and, importantly, fun. Attendance was great with over 40 attendees, plus partners. Not only was almost every European and South American Club in attendance, but five North American clubs and two Asia/Pacific clubs were represented as well. Gstaad Yacht Club was a wonderful host and gave a wonderful presentation on “Why a Yacht Club Without Water?” The conference ended with a gala dinner at the club. It was a truly great experience.
The next event was the 13th ICOYC World Forum hosted by Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, September 18-22, 2023. The week started with one of our very few in-person Board meetings on Monday, September 18. This was followed by lunch and the traditional ICOYC flag raising. Monday night Commodore Cedric Burgers hosted a reception at his home, then followed many full days of substantive sessions ending with a group discussion on the future direction of ICOYC on Friday. One night we were treated to a dinner by Culinary Team Canada and on the final night we had a closing dinner with a keynote speech by Gary Jobson. Finally, on Friday after all the presentations, the club hosted the “highly competitive” Commodore’s Cup in its fleet of Elliot 6s. Royal Vancouver knocked it out of the park!
In September and October, Annapolis Yacht Club hosted the ICOYC Chesapeake Cruise. The cruise was held over ten days. A group of more than 40 ICOYC participants joined members of Annapolis Yacht Club and were treated to an amazing tour of some of the best harbors in the Chesapeake. I have heard nothing but rave reviews of the cruise. Congratulations to the Annapolis Yacht Club on hosting a memorable first-class event.
On the membership front, our Council added two new member clubs this year – Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club. Both clubs are terrific additions to the Council, and we welcome them into our organization.
As we move into 2024, we have great events well into the planning stages. Look for a European Conference in May at Royal Swedish Yacht Club as well as an Asia Pacific Conference, also in May, at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club. More details will follow on these events.
For those of you in the cold, like here in Chicago, stay warm and dream of summer – that’s what I am doing. For those in warmer weather, enjoy!
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Remembering a Valued Member & Contributor to the Sport
Jack Lynch's contribution to the sailing industry and one design racing was bigger than the enormous contribution he gave to the clubs he belonged to, including Annapolis Yacht Club and West River Sailing Club.
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Don’t Wait for Spring, Start Preparing for next Season Now!
In early 2024, Long Beach Yacht Club will be hosting a number of trainings and regattas that are open to the public, including seminars in race management and advanced first aid training for mariners.
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Highly Competitive Inaugural Women’s Invitational Regatta
ROYAL VANCOUVER YACHT CLUB
Royal Vancouver Yacht Club’s Women’s Racing Committee had the honor of hosting the inaugural Women’s Invitational Regatta, held September 23-24, 2023. Thanks to the Club’s new fleet of Elliott Sixes, they were able to host 12 of the top all-women teams from across British Columbia.
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Women’s Winter Invitational Draws Top Teams from Around the World
SAN DIEGO YACHT CLUB
San Diego Yacht Club’s annual Women’s Winter Invitational Regatta returns this upcoming winter, February 16-18, 2024. One of the first established yacht club challenges for women in the country, the goal of this award-winning regatta is to encourage participation in the sport while providing a unique Southern California sailing experience.
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Busy Month for Women on the Water
LONG BEACH YACHT CLUB
Fall was busy for regattas at Long Beach Yacht Club, with two women’s events in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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Swede Tops Podium at Gold Cup
ROYAL BERMUDA YACHT CLUB
For the third time since 2008, Swedish skipper Johnie Berntsson won the King Edward VII Gold Cup, the championship trophy of the Bermuda Gold Cup match racing tournament. Hosted by Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, this World Championship event of the World Match Racing Tour and is the second oldest match racing trophy in the world, after the America's Cup.
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Spectacular Conclusion to the 2023 J/70 World Championships
ST. PETERSBURG YACHT CLUB
The 2023 J/70 World Championships, held October 30-November 5, at St. Petersburg Yacht Club left indelible memories of a week filled with remarkable on-water competition and memorable social events.
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NRV’s Jens Kellinghusen and Varuna Win Les Voiles de Saint Tropez
NORDDEUTSCHER REGATTA VEREIN
Jens Kellinghusen’s Varuna took the lead at the Voiles de St. Tropez from the beginning and stayed on top to the end. The skipper and most of the recruited crew are members of Norddeutscher Regatta Verein.
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Save the date and make your plans to attend upcoming ICOYC events in 2024.
ASIA PACIFIC REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2024
May 2-3, 2024
Hosted by Royal Varuna Yacht Club, Chonburi, Thailand
EUROPEAN REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2024
May 16-19, 2024
Hosted by Kunglia Svenska Segel Sallskapet/ Royal Swedish Yacht Club
NORTH AMERICA REGIONAL CONFERENCE 2024
September 15-18, 2024
Hosted by Royal Canadian Yacht Club
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