2020 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta cancelled

With so many colleges restricting organized sports and travel, the Organizing Committee of The Storm Trysail Club’s 2020 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) has reluctantly been forced to cancel the almost 50 year-old event, originally planned for October 9-11 in Larchmont, NY.

“Originally 50 schools had signed up, with 56 crews ready to sail this year,” noted co-chair Ann Myer. “We did everything we could as a committee to hold the event and to make it safe for all the participants – both the collegiate crews and the many dozens of Storm Trysail Club volunteers and the boat owners – but ultimately the uncertainty surrounding the number of teams that would actually make it to the event caused us to ‘N over A’ (Race Committee-speak for cancelling a race) the regatta. We had even considered a smaller event with smaller crews, but in the end we felt it best to cancel it.”

Lincoln White, the Coach at the United States Coast Guard Academy – a perennial entrant, was understanding. “We have raced in the IOR for many, many years. It’s always a highlight on our team’s Fall racing calendar, but almost all of our varsity team sports have been curtailed, and while we’re saddened that we couldn’t be there, we’re really looking forward to returning next year. The IOR is such a great opportunity for these crews to get real big-boat experience. It’s a real stepping stone to getting into the racing community after graduation.

AJ Evans, Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club, told last year’s crowd of over 400 how the event seeks to strengthen the sport. “The unique thing about this regatta is that college isn’t the point. It’s about the sailing after college, whetting college students’ appetite for offshore and big boat sailing, and feeling that spirit of camaraderie that the Storm Trysail Club is famous for.”

While there will not be a real-life regatta, there is a contest of a different sort: To bring back great memories of past IORs, and to inspire the next generation of offshore sailors, Storm Trysail Club is challenging IOR participants over the years to enter the #IORThenAndNow Photo Contest.

“We want to know how the IOR has fit into your sailing career and we are putting up a free registration for one of our Safety at Sea Seminars for the winner,” adds Evans. “Simply post two photos: one from a past IOR and another from where you sail now with the hashtag, #IORThenAndNow to be entered to win. The winner will be announced October 13th.”

First prize is one free admission to StormTrysail’s Hand-On Safety at Sea Seminar either at SUNY in New York or in Houston.