Page 45 - 2020 Yachting in Chicago

Frostbiting at Chicago Corinthian, extending our season
WHAT HAPPENED TO BOAT OF THE YEAR?

The CYA Boat of the Year was not named YEAR TOTAL RACES TOTAL WINNERS UNIQUE WINNERS TOP SCORERS
this year — another COVID casualty.
2020 61 527 203 14
Somehow, it did not seem fair because
only 57% of races were run and there
2019 109 944 382 8
were only 56% of the average number
of winners. The chart below provides
2015-19 96 806 373 6
an overview of this year’s racing season
compared to last year and compared to
the average over the last five years. One
was a noticeable absence of big races and
of the most startling differences is the
of sailors from other ports. One of the
closeness of the competition. Typically, the
world’s largest annual offshore races and
field of top contenders features 8 boats on
the largest in fresh water, the 112th Chicago
average. This year, there were 14 boats in
to Mackinac race was cancelled early in
striking range of Boat of the Year and no
the summer. The last time the race was
clear winner.
cancelled was 1920 due to the aftermath
of World War I. The Mac Race has drawn as
While we should celebrate the intrepid
many as 400 entries and literally thousands
souls who competed this year, we also
of crew from around the world. Other
mourn with the skippers whose boats
programs like the Chicago Match Race
never saw the water. Those of us who were
Center and the Judd Goldman Adaptive
able to launch our boats were really lucky
Sailing Foundation that typically draw
in many ways: we got into Chicago Park
sailors from other ports and countries did
District spaces long before the quarantine
not compete this year.
was lifted; we could enjoy our boats even
when we could not take them out of the
Our competitive sport had fewer winners
harbor (which usually meant work on
than usual with just a little over half, but
them); we had full access to the Lakefront,
the outcomes were encouraging. Some of
which remained closed all summer; and we
those “always win” boats were not with
were able to participate in a competitive
us and that gave some of those “always
sport safely in the fresh air and with social
at the back” boats a chance to move up
distancing for the most part.
considerably. The competition was closer
Rhodes Overall Champion Bob Bernstein
by far for many sailors.
For some sailors, the smaller field of
boats proved advantageous, allowing less
Let’s hope that things return to “normal” in
experienced racers the opportunity to
2021 and that the CYA will be able to have a
be in the winners’ circle. For others, the
Boat of the Year Award!
competition was not as compelling. There
2020 yachting in chicago 45