As Council Clubs around the world prepare for the conclusion of another year, leadership at the ICOYC reached out to ask various Members of Member Clubs: What does the ICOYC mean to you?
The answers we have received have been inspiring and have reminded us of the truly unique nature of our Council. Where else can you find a network of leaders at the world’s leading yacht clubs, all of whom have “been there, done that”?
Over the next three issues of The Currents we will share reflections from Members on the value of Council Membership. Have something to share? Email us at info@icoyc.org.
WHY THE ICOYC?
FROM NORDDEUTSCHER REGATTA VEREIN — GERO BRUGMANN
Why should a club in Hamburg work with one in Vancouver, or one in Auckland with one in Genoa?
When running a yacht club, one tends to bump into all kinds of obstacles and there is rarely someone to ask for advice. Your neighbouring clubs are usually not a good measure, but once you open your aperture, you start to see yacht clubs in other countries, on different shores, and in varying mixes of political and legal systems. You realize that these Clubs are facing the same challenges of attracting and retaining members and volunteers, collecting funds for expensive premises, building boat parks, hosting events, and building or justifying their roles in their communities.
You further realize that the sport is virtually the same everywhere — so is the bar talk and the open-mindedness of a cross-culture seafaring attitude.
There are assumedly 100 or less top-notch yacht clubs around the globe that are large enough to be a substantial business with an international view and clientele. Now — what if they work together and share their experience?
The three guys that founded the ICOYC thought they knew that such an organisation was badly needed. The forefather of it all, Heinz Rautenberg, first hosted a meeting of yacht club officials from around the globe in Vancouver in 2005. Chris Otorowski and I attended a succeeding meeting in Hong Kong in 2006 and were convinced by Heinz to formalise such exchanges into an organisation. He called it a “council” not an “association” or and “organisation” because he wanted the core purpose to be for its Members to give and take advice.
Clubs in the ICOYC quickly found that they were among friends and not competitors, given their geographical distances. One club might be a master of fundraising, another knows how to market a youth academy so well it has a wait list. Another club knows how to develop strong bonds with the local authorities, or successfully run a members-only F&B business, or finance a fleet of keelboats without exhausting club funds, or drive interest among women in a male-dominated environment...
At ICOYC conferences, club officials share their successes, and are open about their failures. Learning from one another is key. And learning is what we are here for.
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Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron Welcomes New Head Coach, Adrian Finglas
As Head Coach at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Adrian will bring a greater emphasis and focus on the development of the youth sailors across all levels and fleets, as well as support the growth and skill of the already-strong team of coaches and instructors.
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ICOYC World Forum to Return to Vancouver
The highly anticipated 2023 ICOYC World Forum will be held September 18-23, 2023, at the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, where the inaugural ICOYC Commodores’ Planning Forum was held in 2005. RVYC looks forward to welcoming delegates from ICOYC Member Clubs as it celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2023.
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Correction from the October Currents: M32 and Melges 32 World Championships
In the October issue of the ICOYC Currents, the editor mistakenly combined recaps of the M32 and Melges 32 World Championships. In this issue, please be sure to check out the recap of the Melges 32 action by Norddeutscher Regatta Verein, as well as the recap of the M32 finale from Clube Naval de Cascais. We apologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.
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Results from the Annapolis 3-2-1 Invitational
The Annapolis 3-2-1 Invitational is an innovative format that tests the versatility of sailors across 3v3 team racing, 2v2 team racing, and 1v1 match racing. Four ICOYC Member Clubs were represented and two placed on the podium at this event hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club.
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Canada and the US Face Off in the 26th Canada’s Cup
Going into the 26th Canada Cup, the US was up 13-12 over Canada in an event that represents high-level match racing between Canadian and US yacht clubs on the Great Lakes.
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Diaz is Victorious at SDYC’s International Masters Regatta
The International Masters Regatta hosted by San Diego Yacht Club featured talented skippers over 60, and five-person crews over 45 in J/105s. This year, 11 teams participated, with eight of them from ICOYC Member Clubs. The ultimate winner is one of sailing’s true all stars.
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Germans Win 470 World Championship
Luise Wanser of Norddeutscher Regatta Verein and sailing partner Philipp Autenrieth won the 470 World Championship, becoming the first Germans to claim the title in 28 years.
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11th Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy
At the Voiles de Saint-Tropez, the 11th edition of the Gstaad Yacht Club Centenary Trophy welcomed a fleet of head-turning classic yachts, all of which are over 100 years old. Kismet celebrated the win and attendees were treated to a film starring Shirley Robinson, capturing the 10th year of the regatta.
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Melges 24 European Championship 2022
Forty entries representing 14 countries raced to be the next Melges 24 European Champion. Ultimately, Michele Paoletti on Strambapapà was crowned European Champion and the 2nd place Ante Botica on Mataran 24 became the new Corinthian Champion. Yacht Club Italiano Member Paolo Brescia on his Melgina joined them on the podium.
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NRV Wins German Sailing League Title, Again!
For the sixth time in 10 years, Norddeutscher Regatta Verein has won the German Sailing League title as best Sailing Club of the year in Germany.
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