The public is invited to a waterfront dinner at the Miles River Yacht Club on Thursday, January 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. A trio of veteran sailors will follow dinner and offer insights into long-distance sailing preparations, rigors, and rewards, which fascinate both sailors and nonsailors.
The Yacht Club’s Sail Committee hosts the annual Speakers’ Series each winter. The event is $30 per person, including dinner and a cash bar. Reservations must be made by Monday, January 6th, by calling 410-745-9511, ext. 6.
Today’s long-distance sailing has thrills and dangers but is more structured and safer than historic voyages. However, it remains one of the most challenging for advanced sailors and not without risks.
The talk will include three pros, each in different areas of preparation for racing:
Matt Beck’s Trans Pac victory is just one of his many offshore race victories. On board, he specializes in tactics, mainsail trimming, and driving. By day, he is the Director of Business Development at WTW Marine Sporting Yachts in Annapolis.
Mike Beasley, a native of Australia and the owner of Beasley Marine in Annapolis, skippered America’s Cup campaigns with Aloha, Le Defi, and Alinghi in 2000 and 2003. He sailed Around the World in 58 days with Steve Fossett on Cheyenne, setting seven world records along the way and breaking the old record by six days. He was the CRW and Palmetto Cup winners in 2018 and 2019 and the J80 NOOD winner in 2023.
Joe Gibson has twenty years of experience in sailmaking and twenty-five years of experience in professional sailing. He was the sailmaker for Brunel Sunergy and Swedish Match for the 87-98 Whitbread race and the Aloha Challenge 2000 Americas Cup. He heads the rigging shop for the US Naval Academy.
The Miles River Yacht Club was founded in 1921. Its proud heritage includes supporting the historic Chesapeake Bay Sailing Log Canoe Races, and adult and junior sailing instruction.
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