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ISCA Class Updates

• Lifetime Membership Nominations Open 

ISCA International Results

• 2026 II Copa FPV - Paracas, Peru 2026 
• PAG Qualification Update August 2026

Major Championships

• US Masters Championship @ Brant Beach Yacht Club Sept. 11-13
• Women's North American Championship @ Hobcaw YC, October 9-11

USSCA Foundation Update

Regatta News & Sailing Reports

• Youth North American Championship at Savannah Yacht Club
• Midwest Regional Championship II at Lake Bluff
• MAYRA Champion Luke Odgen 
• Gulf Yachting Association Champions
• Marta Chlus Wins Governor's Cup Regatta
• Southwest Regional Championship I Regatta
• A 1970s Sunfish Rules Light Sailing on the Guadalquivir, Spain

Upcoming Events

• Southwest Regional #2 - Lake Worth Sailing Club, TX - September 12-13
• Mid-Atlantic Regional #2 - Lake Naomi Club, PA - September 19-20 
• New England Regional #2, Orleans YC - MA, Sept. 26-27
• New York Downstate Regional Championship #3 - Westhampton Yacht Squadron, NY October 10-11
• Florida Regional Championship #2 - Upper Keys Sailing Club, October 17-18

We invite all ISCA members to submit applicant(s) to be considered for this coveted honor.

The applicant’s name must be accompanied by a summary of the applicant and an explanation of why he or she should be considered for election as an Honorary Life Member. All applications must be submitted by October 1, 2026.

Current Lifetime Members:   ISCA - Lifetime Members

The ISCA Executive Committee will then review all applications to make sure they comply with the requirements in ISCA’s Constitution before selecting up to three applicants with the highest achievements/merits.

Thirty days before the next World Council meeting (St. Croix Worlds, November 11, 2026), the ISCA Executive Committee shall appoint an Evaluation Commission of at least three to a maximum of five members from among the World Council members and/or honorary life members to select a final candidate to be voted on at the World Council meeting.

This new policy was written to include worthy candidates who might not otherwise be recognized. Thank you so much for your help and consideration to nominate deserving individuals.

Respectfully,

Liza Clinton, ISCA Secretary

ISCA Constitution 10.4 - The World Council may grant honorary life membership in ISCA to any one person a year who, through special contribution to the class or through special relationship to ISCA, is considered meritorious. An honorary life member is entitled to full privileges of membership but is not required to pay the annual dues of ISCA. The World Council must approve the “Policy for Election of the Honorary Life Member.”

Congratulations to all the sailors who participated in this event in Paracas, Peru. This was a great opportunity to sail in the Pan American Games venue. 

• 1st place - Jean Paul de Trazegnies, 21 pts PER
• 2nd place - Alonso Collantes de Riglos, 21 pts PER
• 3rd place - Diego Silvestre, 26 pts GUA
• 4th place - David Hernandez, 29 pts GUA
• 5th place - Ricardo Seguel Lacamara, 33 pts CHI

Female:

• 7th place - Tania Zimmerman, 49 pts PER
• 8th place - Josselyn Echeverria, 60 pts GUA
• 9th place - Sophie Zimmerman, 72 pts PER
• 10th place - Adriana Barron Velaochaga, 75 pts PER
• 13th place - Maria Jose Poncell Maurin, 97 pts CHI

RESULTS

Check out these fantastic pictures from the event! 

Two events have been held as part of the PAG Qualification series. There are eight country spots available. Three are done. The ext event is the 2026 Odesur Games in Argentina. For full information, CLICK HERE.

Click on the images below for more details on each event. Remember USSCA membership is required for each Major & Regional Championships.

This past year has been fulfilling and encouraging for the US Sunfish Class Association (USSCA).  ISCA/Sunfish® sailors demonstrated deep dedication and appreciation for what our class has given them by donating time and money to establish the USSCAF.  These contributions are a product of the rewards Sunfish sailors have reaped from sailing and enjoying the camaraderie and knowledge of class members.  As we look forward, we will continue to develop the Foundation to expand educational and training opportunities and enhance the skills of class members.

USSCA established the USSCAF in late 2025, with a mission to raise funds to deliver education and training using the ISCA to grow the sport of sailing.  Our focus is to provide USSCA members with the means to conduct clinics, webinars, coaching, and similar initiatives. Through these efforts we look to advance the class, expand opportunities to sail, introduce sailing and ISCA to many, and improve our members’ sailing skills.

USSCAF operates on a basis of growing a corpus and then utilizing a percentage of this corpus to support USSCA training and education. Since the inception of the Foundation, USSCA has produced several webinars on racing rules, starting, overall race strategy, and execution of tactical racing maneuvers. These are posted to the members-only section of the class website (https://www.sunfishclass.org/ussca_clinics).  USSCA supported youth sailors with regatta entry fee reimbursement through the Youth Scholarship Committee. These funds enabled young and developing sailors to race in major regattas and strengthen their sailing skills.  

If you attended the outstanding North American Championships in Barrington, RI, this past June, you saw a large group of young sailors competing. This was not happenstance.  A donor made a major contribution to cover entry fees, transport boats to Barrington, and host a pizza party for the sailors. This generosity reflects a meaningful commitment to strengthening our class, welcoming new sailors, and helping them develop their skills.

I want to recognize several class members who made significant donations to the Foundation and exemplify the culture of our class members.  These include:

• Peter and Rachel Beardsley
• Mary and Nate Kalich
• Mike Kerman
• Hank Saurage
• Anonymous donor

Each of you who donated your work, wealth, or wisdom enabled several highly valuable initiatives. This is what makes sailing a lifelong sport and develops lifelong friendships.  If you would like more information on how you can contribute to growing the Foundation, please contact my fellow board members Mark Buruchian and Chris Friend, or me.  As we move to the fall season, please reflect on the enjoyment you have had at ISCA regattas and fleet activities, and consider contributing to the USSCAF (United States Sunfish Class Association Foundation).

 Hal Gilreath, President, USSCAF

Submitted by Lachlan Duer

I was one of twelve youth sailors competing at the USSCA Youth North American Championship the weekend of August 15-16. The ISCA is not my typical boat, but this regatta was a lot of fun. Usually I sail an ILCA, but a North American Championship this close to where I live, as well as many other sailors encouraging me to participate, was too good of an opportunity to pass up. Because this would be one of my first ISCA regattas, I decided also to prepare by competing in the ISCA Southeast Regional Championship, which one of my home yacht clubs hosted. After competing in the regional event and getting some tips from longtime ISCA sailors, I felt ready to take on my next challenge: the USSCA North American Championship.
The regatta plans called for for two days of racing, as well as an educational current and wind talk by Charlie Usher the evening before the racing began. Due to challenging weather conditions, we were only able to race on the first day. After a brief wind delay,  we completed five great races in light to medium winds. Because of the current, the downwinds were the main leg where the race was either won or lost. If you made just a few small mistakes, you could end up getting swallowed up by the fleet. Placement changed frequently during the downwinds. Unfortunately on the second day, racing was postponed all day due to lack of wind.
Even though we only raced on Saturday, the racing was still great. After the racing I ended up coming out on top, which means more than winning a North American Championship. Because I won this event, I have now qualified to represent the United States at the ISCA World Championships next year! 

This event was a lot of fun and has given me many more opportunities to improve my sailing. I am thankful that I was able to race in this event. Thank you to Savannah Yacht Club, the race committee for running great racing, my competitors for making this regatta so much fun, my sister for coaching me, and everyone who convinced me to do this event and lent me equipment to participate. RESULTS

**editors note, it was also Lachlan's 16th Birthday!

Thank you to Mark Jump Photography for capturing the fun on the water with his lens!  For more photos please CLICK HERE. 

Left - Savannah Yacht Club is known for its challenging current. Local experts Shane McCarthy and Charlie Usher conducted the clinic on Friday, sharing tips and tricks of the current and venue.

Middle - Thank you to the RC team at Savannah Yacht Club for five fantastic races. 

Right - Sunday, while waiting for the wind to develop, guest speakers Arabella Duer (ODU & US Sailing Youth Team 2025, ODP sailor) and Eric Otgen (US Sailing Team 1993-2005) gave a great talk about pathways and what it takes to get to the podium. 

L to R: 2nd place Payton Brown, Savannah YC; 3rd place Oliver Putnam, Augusta SC; 1st place Lachlan Duer Beaufort YSC/SCYC; Top Female Ames Murrell, Hobcaw YC; Sportsmanship Jackson Anter, Lake Norman YC.

Lake Bluff Yacht Club, Lake Bluff, IL, August 22-23, 2026

Submitted by Doug Warren 

Rich Chapman (Libertyville, IL) doubled his regional winnings by beating a fleet of 27 sailors in Lake Bluff Yacht Club’s second Midwest Regional Championship held on August 22-23.  Chapman, winner of the first Midwest Regional a month earlier, sailed consistently over the seven races.  Lake Michigan made it interesting with winds of 12 to 18 knots on Saturday and 8 to 12 knots on Sunday.  Short chop made it a challenge to steer upwind and hold on downwind.  

Following Chapman in the standings were Josh Kerst (Ann Arbor, MI), Bob Findlay (Wilmette,IL/Sarasota, FL), Mark Kastel (LaCrosse, WI) and Dan Norton (Hudson, MI).

Lake Bluff Yacht Club hosted a pizza dinner on the beach after the first day of sailing.  Many thanks to the LBYC volunteers who ran a challenging regatta and offered wonderful hospitality.  FULL RESULTS

Luke Odgen began sailing just three years ago at Cooper River Yacht Club in Collingswood, N.J. He was 11 years old. His dad, a sailor, put him in the Learn to Sail program and he raced green fleet in an Opti. The following year he went to the MidAtlantic Yacht Racing’s Youth midweek ISCA regattas and finished 11th overall for the season out of 17 competitors. This year Luke competed in 6 or 7 mid-week regattas.

His overall finishes were 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, DNS, 3. He won the series. Luke finished 2nd at the MAYRA Championship at Brigantine Yacht Club on July 26. We hope Luke, now 14, stays with the fleet and widens his regatta horizons in the future.

Clinton Edwards is the 2026 GYA ISCA Champion!

Submitted by Kimberly Jackman 

Marta Chlus won the Governor's Cup ISCA/Sunfish® Regatta August 9 at the Bantam Lake Yacht Club in Morris, CT. Placing a close second was Paul Dierze, with Kimmy Jackman in third and regatta organizer Alex Lebedev in fourth.

Sailors who camped out at the club before racing enjoyed a peaceful night and awoke to a sunny day with good breeze. Fortified by donuts and coffee, thirteen competitors handled variable and shifty winds over six races. Post racing, sailors enjoyed burgers, hot dogs and desserts provided by club members.

Thanks to the excellent race committee of Ed Kavle and Jim Sutton, and all the racers who made the day a success.

August 15-16, 2026

Rockport Yacht Club, Rockport, Texas

By Scott Shirley, USSCA Southwest Regional representative 

Six different winners over seven races at Rockport Yacht Club made the first ISCA Southwest Regional Championship Regatta a success the weekend of August 15-16, despite a few obstacles.

Originally scheduled for June at Union Sailing Club in Longmont, Colorado, the regatta found itself in need of a new venue a week before the planned start. Feelers went out to fleets in the region, and an enthusiastic response came back from Commodore Ed Lippe of Rockport Yacht Club. The hard part was to pick a date, and time was short; the earliest date available was in mid-August.

Rockport is on the Gulf Coast of Texas and is known for its steady sea breeze. There’s an ugly rumor that Texas can be hot, but if you’re sailing in August, it doesn’t get better than Rockport’s conditions.

We didn’t have much time, but we did have great people working together to make the regatta happen. Marvin Lewis organized the Race Committee and posted the NOR and signup page online, assisted by Bill Coxwell. They brought in Jim Marzonie as PRO, with years of experience running Sunfish/ISCA regattas. On very short notice, we had the A-Team in place.

Fifteen boats registered and began arriving Friday to see Aransas Bay covered in whitecaps. While everywhere else was experiencing 100-degree days, Rockport was forecast for 90-degree highs each day. RYC made T-shirts and dry bags for all the competitors – pretty nice for an event thrown together on short notice.

There was pronounced chop and 10-12 knots of wind for Race 1, and local knowledge was key. Rockport’s Chad Lindig won the first race, with Grand Masters Ash Beatty and Josh Rubin following in second and third. Jim Rehage of Austin Yacht Club won Race 2 followed by Rubin and fellow AYC sailor Annie Lancaster. There were several OCS starts, collisions and near-misses as the breeze continued to build.

Rubin won Race 3, with Beatty and Lancaster in second and third place, respectively, and Bobby Fulmer finishing fourth for the second time. These four sailors would continue battling for the top four positions for the rest of the regatta.

After an on-the-water break for lunch, the wind and waves continued to build and the temperature rose above the forecast. Wind was 18-20 knots with gusts, and the temperature pushed toward 100. Fatigue and dehydration started to take a toll on many sailors, and boathandling was challenging. Beatty won Race 4, with Fulmer of GBCA in second and Rubin in third. Two sailors withdrew and retired. Fulmer won Race 5, making for five different winners for five races. Beatty, who won Race 4, and Rehage, winner of Race 2, both sat out the fifth race.

Exhausted sailors enjoyed plenty of help from volunteers hauling their boats out and greeting them with a cold bottle of water, followed by Happy Hour at the clubhouse. Everyone was happy to learn that Sunday’s wind was predicted to be 8-10, a most welcome respite. 

Sunday had less wind, but still somewhat choppy water. Josh Rubin won Race 6, making him the first with two bullets, followed by Fulmer and Rehage. Then multiple Texas Circuit winner Annie Lancaster took the bullet in Race 7, followed by Rubin in second and Fulmer in third. Seven races with six winners -- great competition.

Sailors arrived on shore to the enticing aroma of hamburgers grilled by Chef-Commodore Ed Lippe.

Completing seven races allowed a throwout, making the final standings: Josh Rubin in first place; Bobby Fulmer in second; Ash Beatty in third; and Annie Lancaster in fourth, behind Beatty by a single point.

Special thanks to Rockport Yacht Club and its many volunteers for making this happen on such short notice, and for the friendly hospitality. 

Left - Josh Rubin's pre-race stretch makes a good place to set your coffee cup

Middle - L to R: PRO Jim Marzoni, Josh Rubin (1st), RC Chairman Marvin Lewis, Commodore Ed Lippe.Winner, Josh Rubin punched his ticket to Worlds 2027! 

Right - Rockport ISCA Barbie - Gerilynn Hibbeler

On a day of intense heat and little wind, the 60th International Regatta of the Ascenso del Guadalquivir began at 11:00am with a 40 nautical mile route from Sanlúcar de Barrameda to Seville. In the light air,  Argentine helmsman Luis Antonio Gasparini Giadon stood out in his 1970's Sunfish.  With a 5-knot easterly, the light sailing fleet set off at 10:45am, followed by the cruisers 15 minutes later. Lack of wind forced organizers to tow the back of the fleet from buoy 16, while the remaining participants -- except for raceboards and dinghies -- saw their first and only scoring leg shortened at buoy 26 so they could make it on time to the access lock to Seville and arrive at night at the Nautical Club for the awards ceremony.

ISCA/USSCA Class Administrator

www.sunfishclass.org    info@sunfishclass.org  404-451-7743