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Sailing Icons at Milwaukee Yacht Club

On Wednesday, May 12th, approximately 100 people were treated to a very special evening at the Milwaukee Yacht Club. The Milwaukee Yacht Club Foundation sponsored a special event, benefiting high school sailors from our greater Milwaukee area. It was an evening made in “sailing heaven” as not one, but 4 sailing icons were present to support our youth.

The keynote speaker was Gary Jobson, current President of US Sailing, an America’s Cup Winner, ESPN commentator and all around “sailing all-star”. Introducing him, was our local sailing royalty, Buddy Melges. His sailing adventures also include the America’s Cup, in addition to Olympic Gold and Bronze, World Championship titles, and numerous other personal and business accolades, that are too many to highlight. John Ruf, Olympic bronze medalist, Wisconsin native, and local hero, showed his support and his ready enthusiasm for the sport, by supporting the event and inspiring the kids to see the potential for greatness in all of us. To round out the “final four” was Olaf Harken, legendary local businessman, who is the “supplier to the stars” in the sailing world. Harken is a leader in sailboat hardware and accessories.

Gary treated the group to numerous stories and video clips of world class sailing events, in addition to personal inspirational messages.

For more information about youth sailing in the Milwaukee area, visit the MYST website at www.mystracing.org. Additional information regarding summer lessons can be found at the MYC website, the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center, or the Inland Lakes Yachting Association.

Posted by:  Karen Trepton

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Milwaukee Youth Sailing Team

The spring season for MYST is up and running. Our local high school kids will test their mettle in an “Icebreaker” regatta, against college sailors from UWM and Marquette. They’ll be sailing 420’s and lasers in front of the Milwaukee Yacht Club. It’s supposed to be a nice day. Stop by and watch!

Posted by:Karen Trepton

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Lake Country Waterski Team Goes to China!

Many of you may know that I blog about youth sailing in Southeastern Wisconsin. It’s a big part of my boys’ lives, and something my family is passionate about. I will have another article in the next few days, about the updates of our local Milwaukee Youth Sailing Team. However, in the interest of fairness to other sports “water”, I would like to highlight a local water ski team, that has been invited to China. Yesterday, several Wisconsin residents set out for a 13 day trip to China, to participate in the annual Sino-American Water Ski Show. It’s a fabulous opportunity for the water skiers selected. A local Lake Country native, Jenna Strobel, is one of the participants. Her younger brother plays soccer with my son, and it was exciting to see the enthusiasm and eagerness in her face at a recent game, as she described what will be the trip of a lifetime for her and the others. Several different teams are represented on the current USA team to China, including Badgerland (Waukesha, WI), Must-Skis (Beaver Dam, WI) and Tommy Bartlett’s (Wisconsin Dells, WI).

Growing up living on Golden Lake, in Lake Country, my summers were filled with daily waterskiing. My brothers and I would run the boat from morning till dusk, skiing slalom, doubles, trick skis and barefooting. It was endless fun. I can only imagine how thrilling it will be for Jenna and the others selected, to participate in something they love, while being “Good Will Ambassadors” to our neighbors on the other side of the world.

To follow along on this adventure, you can read their blog by clicking here.

Posted by:Karen Trepton

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High School Sailing in Lake Country!

Minnesota may be the “Land of Lakes”, but in Wisconsin, we like to claim that we are the heart of the Midwest’s Lake Country. From the stunning cityscape along the Milwaukee Lakefront, to the beautiful spring fed lakes, and chain of lakes throughout Southeastern and Northern Wisconsin, Wisconsin boasts some of the best water frontage in the country!

Water recreation comes in many forms, but a passion near and dear to Southeast Wisconsin, is SAILING! The Inland Lakes Yachting Association dates back over 150 years. Big boat sailing has an equal and passionate following on Lake Michigan.

A recent addition to the club, is the newly formed, Milwaukee Youth Sailing Team, a group of high school teens, committed to competitive sailing. Milwaukee Yacht Club is host to the group, consisting of several area high schools. MYST, as the team is referred to, trains as a collective, and then competes in smaller groups by high school. They sail 420’s and Lasers.Oconomowoc High School, Marquette High School and Trinity Academy all have official high school teams. Other students compete as mixed teams, from various high schools in the area.

MISSA, the Midwestern Interscholastic Sailing Association, is our region’s governing body of ISSA, the national group. Our Midwest kids are some of the best sailors in the country, and are competitive on a regional, as well as national basis. Many have sailed nationally and internationally since they were young kids, in the opti.

On May 9th and 10th, MYC will play host to the region’s area schools. Kids will be here from Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota. Follow the action on Sailgroove, or on any of the websites linked to these organizations.

Posted by:Karen Trepton
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