A Night to Inspire: A Fundraiser for the CYCF Competition Fund
December 15, 2023
by Francesca Sigmond
Just before Thanksgiving, more than 80 people gathered in support of competitive sailing at the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation’s first in-person fundraiser for the Competition Fund. Launched late last year, the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation Competition Fund supports sailors from Chicago who are training for and participating in prestigious national and international sailing competitions. All donations to the Competition Fund go directly towards grants to support local sailors at the highest level of competitive sailing.
The evening featured appearances from Chicago Yacht Club’s Interclub Competition team as well as Olympic sailors and CYC members Stephanie Roble and Maggie Shea, who shared about their upcoming events along the way to the Olympic trials for Paris 2024.
The main event of the evening was an auction and paddle raise. Between bids to sponsor elite Invitational events slated for 2024, Team USA gear from Tokyo, and the chance to sail with some of CYC’s best, the event raised a record $140,000 for the Competition Fund. Surpassing our goal wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our medal-level donors.
“This fundraising will provide more opportunities for our local sailors to perform at the highest levels of our sport. It’s our chance to showcase how great Chicago sailors are on the national and international stage,” said Leif Sigmond, Chair of the Foundation’s Competition Fund Committee. “Before this event, Rear Commodore Laura Sigmond hosted a screening of Melges: The Wizard of Zenda, which greatly helped kickstart the event through early donations and promotion of A Night to Inspire.”
The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation is excited to support our hometown sailors and see what big accomplishments the 2024 season will bring.
CYC Foundation Competition Fund Medal-level Donors
Honorary Event Chairs | $10,000
Past Commodore Joseph S. Haas
Betsy and Peter Barrett
Kate and Jim Murray - Callisto Racing
Captain Dave’s Foundation
Wilson Family Foundation
Gold Medal | $5,000
Michael Belsley and Nina Owen
Silver Medal | $2,500
Will Conrardry
Warren Levins
Bronze Medal | $1,000
Phillip and Marsha Dowd
Carolyn and Matthew Foulston
Raymond Groble III
Chuck and Sarah Lamphere
Michael Mayer
Todd Reynolds and Jennifer Wilson
Lawrence and Felicia Wilhelm