CYC Foundation's Competition Fund Supports Olympic Sailors Roble and Shea in Their Campaign for the 2024 Olympics

November 15, 2023

by Megan McNichols Mahon

Olympic sailors and CYC members Steph Roble and Maggie Shea have some unfinished business to complete in Paris next summer. 

After their strong start at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics ended without a medal, Steph and Maggie are again going for gold as they compete to represent the US at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

“We left Tokyo hungry for more,” Steph said. “By next summer, Maggie and I will have been sailing with each other for almost half of our lives and in the 49er FX for eight years. At this point, we are fully focused – on and off the water – toward putting all of our energy into reaching our Olympic goals.”

Those goals include medaling for Team USA.

“The CYC Foundation’s Competition Fund is proud to support Steph and Maggie in their Olympic journey,” said Matt Gallagher, co-chair of the Foundation’s Competition Fund. “They are champions on and off the water and inspire all of us – especially our young sailors – with not only their tremendous success but also their true dedication to the sport.”

Steph and Maggie will be featured at the Foundation’s upcoming “Night to Inspire: Powering the Competitive Sailing Journey” on Friday, November 17 from 7-9:30 p.m. The event will include a Paddle Raise and Auction benefiting the Foundation’s Competition Fund. Steph and Maggie are among the more than 50 young adult competitive sailors who have received grants this year from the Foundation’s Competition Fund.

The past few years have been a whirlwind of training, travel and competitions for the two young women who met as Laser Radial competitors in high school and became fast friends nearly two decades ago. While Steph started competitive sailing at a young age, Maggie’s introduction to the sport was a more leisurely family affair led by her grandfather, John Nedeau. 

“Steph was an intergalactic champion of the world at a young age. She was maybe 12 and already so accomplished. She had at least 100 trophies to her name,” Maggie said. “I grew up sailing on my grandfather’s boat, Windancer. We enjoyed so much more than just the racing – we loved the deliveries, we always feasted on my grandmother’s homemade casseroles during the distance races, and I learned the value of sharing this passion with your best friends and family.” 

Maggie was often a crew member on her grandfather’s boat including when he won the overall title in the CYC’s 103rd Race to Mackinac in 2011 – his 64th Mackinac race. “He showed me this amazing world of sailing and really got me started,” she recalls.

Despite the two women’s differing trajectories in their early sailing careers, their partnership brings out the best in each other. “Steph and I push each other to be better every day, and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to bring home a medal,” Maggie said.

Their performance during the Olympic trials next March and April will determine whether Steph and Maggie get that opportunity in Paris next summer. 

“We respect that winning is a process and are committed to working harder every day,” Steph said. “We know that this journey demands strength, perseverance and dedication.” 

The journey also requires funding, and the duo is grateful for the support of the CYC Foundation. “Our equipment, expert coaching and travel expenses are the biggest line items in our budget,” Maggie said. “Things can get really expensive – especially in an Olympic year. We were thrilled by the generosity of the Foundation and are so thankful for their support.”

In the coming months, Steph and Maggie will continue a grueling training schedule on and off the water. “We’re leaving no stone unturned when it comes to our commitment to competing in Paris,” Maggie said. 

Both women said they will never forget their experiences at the Tokyo Olympics. Steph recalls the Opening Ceremony and marching into the stadium with her fellow Team USA athletes as a moment she will always remember. Maggie said a highlight for her was their first day of racing. “We just had such a blast sailing that day. We tried so hard. We made some mistakes but we came back. It was a gritty day – but we ended the day second overall. We were just so focused on what we were doing. That’s when it became real for me."

As Steph and Maggie work toward their goal of competing in Paris in 2024, they’re also committed to savoring the journey. “We try to remember that this experience is bigger than us. It isn’t just about the results,” Maggie said. “Our journey in Tokyo felt incomplete to us – that’s why we’re trying to go again. Having the support of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation and a lot of wonderful people behind us really makes it easier to keep going.”

The Competition Fund enables the CYC Foundation to award grants to support applicants’ training for and participation in prestigious national and international sailing competitions. Over the past year, the Fund has supported more than 50 young adults in pursuing competitive sailing opportunities. The Competition Fund is a separate fund within the Foundation whereby donors stipulate their interest in contributing to the fund.