Life beyond dinghies for college teams

Storm Trysail Club and Larchmont Yacht Club (Larchmont, NY) will be hosting the 2021 Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta (IOR) on October 9-10, offering college sailing teams a keelboat alternative to the typical dinghy sailing organized by the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association.

“There is great interest on the schools’ behalf as much of the college sailing season was canceled last year – including our event,” says IOR Co-Chair Doug Lynn. “All schools who originally committed to the event last year are planning to attend this year and there is still space for more.”

The event is by invitation only with provided boats ranging from one-designs like J/105s, J/109s, and J/44s to competitive racing machines that frequently spend the season racing all over the Northeast. Boats are volunteered by local owners with one representative on each boat as a safety officer for the college team.

“We expect at least 50 schools to attend this year with some fielding two teams,” says Lynn’s co-chair Ann Myer. “New this year, we are adding a J/88 and a Figaro class to the lineup.”

Along with the sailing, teams will also be welcomed to the social events at Larchmont Yacht Club that also have come to epitomize the IOR.

“We love hosting the young sailors and all the volunteers here at Larchmont Yacht Club,” says LYC Commodore Rob Dailey. “Creating opportunities for young sailors and veterans alike to network and have a new experience is a great way to cap off a season.”

“This event relies on the volunteers to make it happen,” says Storm Trysail Commodore Ed Cesare. “Larchmont Yacht Club as the host, the Race Committee, and especially all the boat owners who understand the importance of fostering the next generation of offshore sailors.”

• Teams seeking an invitation and/or boat owners interested in supporting event: ior@stormtrysail.org.
• Notice of Race will be posted by late summer at stormtrysail.org/ior.