Join the Chicago Yacht Club August 8th and 9th for the 2009 Verve Inshore Regatta

2009 Verve Cup Inshore Regatta
By Richard Winters and Kristian Martincic

The Verve Cup Inshore Regatta promises to be a spectacular sailing event. Hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club at Belmont Station August 8 and 9, the Verve is the most popular inshore regatta in Chicago. Identical One Design keelboat and centerboard classes compete for two days to determine which boat has the best skipper and crew.

Last year was wet and wild, with winds between 15 and 25 knots. Close competition and 5 foot seas made boat handling skills a primary concern for the skippers. As one out of town sailor said "it was hard to tell if they were longer, or taller, but they sure were wet!" Crews on the 57 participating boats were hiking and scrambling to maintain control under the heavy air conditions. Wild downwind runs were punctuated by dramatic surfing, producing intoxicating grins on the sailors’ faces.

There were quite a few tired but thrilled teams nursing the day’s sore muscles at the party Saturday night. The sailors enjoyed a free pour of St. Pauli Girl beer and Mt. Gay Rum as they feasted on a delicious barbeque buffet. The Seth Bradley Band delivered an inspired performance of familiar favorites and original songs under the stars on the patio.

A Nor’easter blew in overnight, generating spirited seas and a steady blast of wind. The new Melges 24 Fleet was ecstatic, surfing the rolling waves downwind. Local and travelling teams experienced a mix of thrills and spills, but it was Lu Han who summed up the weekend best as he was sharing drinks and laughs with friends at the bar: "Lots of races and great breeze, the Verve rocked!"

Expect the 2009 Verve Cup Inshore Regatta to be bigger and better than ever. Our growing One Design fleets will arrive in greater numbers, especially after hearing about the success of the event last year. Yachtscoring will return, providing online registration and up to the minute results on the big screen in the bar. SLAM will be back with their high tech sailing gear and Seth Bradley will return to provide first class entertainment at the party Saturday night.

Plan to join us August 8 and 9 for the exciting 2009 Verve Cup Inshore Regatta.