Growing the sport by keeping it casual

The first annual Three Crib Fiasco on Saturday (September 20) launched its concept of ‘cruising around’ Chicago’s lakefront landmarks – the water cribs located just off the Windy City’s lakefront. Patterned after the Three Bridge Fiasco in San Francisco, the event’s singular goal was to provide a platform to expose new sailors to the activity of racing their boats in a casual setting.

Forty-eight boats bit on the idea, with almost half having no prior exposure to sailboat racing.

“The Three Crib Fiasco was a screaming success in my book,” said race chair Steve Kindra owner of Skyway Yacht Works on Chicago’s East side. “We never thought we would get almost fifty boats registered in the first year, much less expose 22 boat owners to sailboat racing.”

“There are so many sailors who haven’t discovered the joy of sailing their boat around with a purpose,” said Karma Yacht Sales (KYS) co-owner Jack Buoscio. “So often, many boats only day sail or don’t leave the harbor – the Fiasco gave them a reason to get out and sail,” added KYS’ Lou Sandoval.

With a blustery forecast which included overcast skies and Southwesterly gusts to 24 knots, thirty-four boats participated in the thirteen and one-half mile pursuit-style dash around three of the water cribs in Chicago.

The race had a philanthropic approach to it as the participants raised money to support the Chicago Area Council’s Sea Scout programs. Various Sea Scout ships participated in the event from competing in the race to serving as the race committee boat. Participants raised over $2,000 which will go towards the Sea Scout programs.

Event details