Letter from USSCA President

President's Letter to USSCA Members

June 2023

Dear Sunfish Sailors,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits as we embark on an exciting new year of Sunfish sailing. First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every one of you for making the previous year such a resounding success. Our major events spanned the nation from North Americans in Cape Cod to US Masters Championships at Bay Waveland Yacht Club.

The members of USSCA are truly a unique welcoming group of sailors and the camaraderie is unique among the sailing community. From thrilling, down to the wire regattas like the 1st New England Regional last week (decided by one point) to pure local sailing fun like the annual Around Harker’s Island race, the US Sunfish sailors continue to host exceptional events.

Last year we hosted 16 Regional Championships, many of which drew more than 20 competitors, and some attracted nearly as many as North American Championships.

The Sunfish sailing experience is not only about competition but also about fostering a close-knit community of passionate individuals who share a common love for the sport. Our organization embodies this spirit, providing a platform for friendship, mentorship, and lifelong memories. I hope that each of you can find the time at your local regattas to continue to build those relationships and share the joy that sailing brings each of you.

Thanks to a fantastic showing by some of our top sailors at the US National Championships at Midwinters this past March, the US is qualified for both the Womens’ Pan American Games and Mens’ Pan American Games in Sunfish. This will be the first time there is a split event. US Pan American Games Trials will be held in early July and 30 of our top US Sailors will compete to determine our male and female representatives at the Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile in the fall.

Continuing to look ahead, I am delighted to share that we have an incredible year of sailing regattas planned for our members. 16 Regional Championships are once again scheduled for this Summer and Fall with our final regional in San Diego right before Thanksgiving. If you’re up for traveling, Mission Bay is always a fantastic place to sail. Women’s North Americans will be in Lewes, Delaware and is scheduled during the Summer for the first time in many years. US Masters Championships will be at Niantic Bay Yacht Club in Connecticut with fantastic fall breeze.

USSCA Regatta Organizers have been hard at work scheduling ahead into 2024. Personally, I’m looking forward to the North Americans at Lavallette Yacht Club in New Jersey and the annual Saratoga Lake Small Boat Regatta. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a newcomer to the Sunfish class, there will be opportunities for everyone to participate, learn, and grow.

As we embark on this exciting year, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated volunteers, race officials, regatta hosts, and all those who contribute their time and resources to make our events possible. Your unwavering support is the backbone of our organization, and we are immensely grateful for your commitment to our shared passion.

In closing, I encourage each of you to set sail with enthusiasm, determination, and a sense of adventure.

Let us come together as a community to celebrate the joy of Sunfish sailing, pushing our limits, forging new friendships, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. May the wind always fill your sails, and may the year ahead be filled with fair winds and unforgettable regattas.

Sail on!

Will Kresic
President, United States Sunfish Class Association (USSCA)