The 2022 ILYA X Boat and Optimist Championships has begun…If you’re in town, look out your windows, take a drive up to the lake or better yet, hop in your powerboat and watch the spectacle! The many volunteers are at the ready, the organizers are stoked and the sailors anxious. With beautiful Clear Lake as the outstanding backdrop and an equally outstanding forecast, knock on wood folks, this could be the best regatta in Clear Lake history!

The Opening Ceremonies were handled by none other than the “Professional of Processionals” or “Emcee from the MC’s”, Stu Oltrogge started with introductions of each yacht club entered; as the previous titles suggest he did a fantastic job.  The regattas organizers pulled out all the stops having notables such as Dr Tom Hodgson, Mayor Nelson Crabb and our always high energy Commodore Mike Starbeck take the stage with their thoughts. Their remarks were all fantastic and added a nice touch to the already exciting Opening Ceremonies.

Since 1940 the ILYA has held an Annual Championship for the X boats (with the exception of time off for WWII); familiar names such as Norris, Meyer, Frentzyl, Burton, Melges, Burdick, Strothman and of course Zanios grace the sterling silver placards of the trophy in Honor of O.L. Schmidt.  One hundred or so teams will be competing between the senior and junior fleets this year making it the largest single class regatta in the ILYA yet again.  The Optimist fleet looks to be around 70 boats, making it likely the second largest single class event of the year in the ILYA!

7 Clear Lake teams will be competing in the X Championships; 4 in the Senior Fleet, 3 in the Junior Fleet.  We also have 8 sailors competing in the Optimist Championships which start Sunday evening! Get out on the water to watch and cheer on our Clear Lake sailors.  I suppose it would be a great show of sportsmanship and support of the ILYA to cheer on and encourage every sailor competing!

Watch your inbox next week for a full recap of the events plus a recap of previous club racing and notice for the next CLYC social event!  Until then friends…

Stay in the Clear Air,

Dan Allen
MC 2811 – Relentless
E scow Z-11 – Wild Side
dsallen@cltel.net
www.clyciowa.com
www.clycss.com