Family time at Yacht Club Championship

The Storck family was named the 2010 Scuttlebutt Sailing Family of the Year, and continue to set a high standard in the sport. Their latest endeavor is to represent the Storm Trysail Club in the 2024 Resolute Cup, the unofficial Corinthian championship for U.S. yacht clubs.

Hosted by New York Yacht Club on September 11-14, the Stork family has history in the event, having finished fourth, third and third, respectively, in the 2016, 2018 and 2022 editions. The only thing they haven’t done—aside from win the regatta—is to all sail together.

The latter will happen in 2024 as brothers Eric, John, and Ian join sister Kaity Potts (née Storck) in pursuit of one of amateur sailing’s most coveted trophies.

“While we all continue to value time together, our adult lives have naturally developed some amount of separateness,” says John Storck III, the eldest sibling. “And while we strive to spend time together, it is almost never just the four of us. This is a unique opportunity, and one I am looking forward to and do not take for granted.”

Sailing has always been a Storck family activity. A lot of time was spent racing. Each of the four enjoyed successful collegiate sailing careers while Erik, who will again skipper the team’s entry, also competed in the 2012 Olympics at helm of the American 49er team. But they were also encouraged to appreciate all facets of the sport, one reason their collective passion for it has endured.

“We were very lucky to be regularly exposed and engaged with many different aspects of the sport,” says John. “At any given time, we were training and racing dinghies, racing small keelboats in regional events, racing on the family Ericson 39 in Long Island Sound distance races and cruising as a family.

“Whenever I hit a wall and felt burnt out on one aspect of the sport, the notion of giving up sailing was never a thought. I might take a break from one aspect, but just put that time into another type of sailing.”

Podium finishes in 2018 and 2022 are evidence of the family’s collective talent and cohesion. Could finally getting all four together on the same boat be what pushes the Storm Trysail Club to the top of the podium? Family bonds can overcome a lot, but the Resolute Cup is a tough nut to crack.

“You obviously need to be conservative in the early stages, as sailing through the fleet after self-inflicted wounds is hard to do,” says John Storck. “But there comes a time in the event where that conservative approach will also prevent you from standing on top of the podium at the end. Finding that balance is hard but seems vital for success at this specific regatta.”

Racing in Sonars will take place on Narragansett Bay, with the fleet halved on the last day for three final double-point races.

Details: https://nyyc.org/2024-resolute-cup

Source: Scuttlebutt, NYYC