Chicago Area Yacht Clubs Join Forces to Enhance Events for Local Sailing Community 

CHICAGO, IL (January 28, 2016): Columbia Yacht Club and Chicago Yacht Club are pleased to announce that boats from both yacht clubs will compete, along with those from other area yacht clubs, in the Columbia Yacht Club 2016 Chicago Beer Can Series off Monroe Harbor. The Wednesday night series will begin on May 18, 2016 with a tune up race and proceed through September 7, 2016. Columbia Yacht Club will serve as the Organizing Authority for the series. Chicago Yacht Club will support the Columbia Yacht Club Race Committee on the water.

“We are thrilled that racers from all area clubs can compete against one another on Wednesday nights,” said Columbia Yacht Club Rear Commodore Stu Friedman. “It has always been our goal to make Wednesday nights as inclusive as possible.” Participants need not be a member of a yacht club to race.

“Individual clubs may still offer awards to competitors within their clubs. Additionally, we will score all the boats together as a fleet,” explained Chicago Yacht Club Rear Commodore Lou Sandoval. “Our goal is to work collectively as a local sailing community in building a quality experience for all participating boats. We are pleased to collaborate with our friends at Columbia Yacht Club with the Series, and are looking forward to a great season of Wednesday night racing.”

The Series will utilize LMPHRF to handicap the series. Boats without LMPHRF Certificates may receive a courtesy rating through the Organizing Authority. In addition to LMPHRF Spinnaker sections, the Series invites one-design fleets to participate. There will also be Jib and Main sections for casual racers, a “Green” Section for new racers or those not wishing to sail an upwind/downwind course, and an inshore course for dinghies and small keelboats.

The entry fee for the season is $75.00 and participants should register for the series on the Columbia Yacht Club 2016 Chicago Beer Can page on yachtscoring.com or through individual portals on their respective club’s web site. The Notice of Race can be found on these same sites.

http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_registration_email.cfm?eid=1616

ABOUT COLUMBIA YACHT CLUB:

Since 1892, Columbia Yacht Club has been an iconic symbol of Chicago’s maritime tradition. The club offers its members a full complement of sailing and boating activities, including student, one-design, inshore and offshore racing, cruising and social activities, as well as casual and gourmet dining aboard the vintage club ship. The Columbia Sailing School offers classes for all ages and experience levels, for youth and adult. The diverse membership supports our community through a wide range of outreach programs, most prominently as host for the Leukemia Cup Regatta. To learn more visit ColumbiaYachtClub.org.

ABOUT CHICAGO YACHT CLUB:

Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most respected yacht clubs in the world. Today, the club boasts a membership of nearly 1,500 boating enthusiasts and is one of the preeminent organizers of regattas, races and predicted-log events in the United States. The club offers an array of spectacular off- the-water amenities, including fine dining and full-service catering at both its Monroe and Belmont stations. The club has dedicated itself to promoting the sport and perpetuating the values of camaraderie and community since 1875. Learn more at chicagoyachtclub.org.