geneva yacht club

Lake Geneva Yacht Club

Stories from the Lake Geneva Yacht Club

The Lake Geneva Yacht Club

1250 South Lake Shore Drive Fontana, WI 53125 262.275.2727

Website: www.lgyc.com

The club today is a mecca for scow sailing, as well as a number of non-scow classes.

LGYC is part of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center, named after National Sailing Hall of Famer Buddy Melges .

The Sheridan Prize Race and the Genesis of a Club

The club’s fleets during the next two decades included sandbaggers of various lengths and rigs (some designed on the East Coast; others locally), “less strenuous” catboats and knockabouts, and elegant steamers and launches. By the end of the 1890s, the sandbagger type was pushed to near extinction by some interesting newcomers: two classes of longer, narrower, lighter boats known as Inland Lake Scows that were easier to handle than the sandbagger, required fewer crew and, as one observer put it, were “balanced to a nicety.” In 1899, the Sheridan Prize Trustees, who have governed the Sheridan contest throughout its history, stated that all boats in the annual race had to be classified as Class A as defined by the Inland Lake Yachting Association rules. (The only exception to this was from 1976 to 1979 when Class E boats were the entrants.) The Sheridan Prize, a sterling silver sandbagger model now mounted on a series of bases to accommodate winners’ names, is one of the oldest active sailing trophies in the country.

Inland Lake Scows and the Classes Today

Clubhouses and the Buddy Melges Sailing Center

The Geneva Lake Sailing School

In 1938 Lake Geneva Yacht Club officers established a sailing school, which in 1953 was incorporated as a separate entity and named the Geneva Lake Sailing School. A valuable community resource, GLSS offers beginning and intermediate sailing camps, advanced racing programs, US Sailing Keelboat Certification, and learn-to-sail lessons for more than 400 children, high-school students, and adults. The GLSS fleet includes prams, Optimists, Club 420s, Class X, O’pen Bics, Windsurfers, Lasers, Sonars, an MC, a Hobie Cat, and powerboats for the coaches.

Excellence in Sailing and Service

Jane Pegel has won the Mrs. Charles Francis Adams Trophy for the US Women’s Sailing Championship twice and is a two-time winner of the Allegra Knapp Mertz Trophy for the US Women’s Singlehanded Championship. She has been named Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year three times.

Buddy Melges won the Clifford D. Mallory Trophy for the Men’s US Sailing Championship three times and has been named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year three times. His achievements include Bronze (Flying Dutchman) and Gold (Soling) Olympic Medals, a Pan American Games Gold Medal (Flying Dutchman), Star and 5.5 Metre World Championship titles, numerous national and international class championships, and a successful America’s Cup campaign in 1992 as helmsman for Bill Koch’s America3. Melges has been inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, the National Sailing Hall of Fame, and the World Sailing Hall of Fame. He has received US Sailing’s most prestigious award, the Nathaneal G. Herreshoff Trophy, for outstanding contributions to sailing, and was the first recipient of US Sailing’s W. Van Alan Clark Jr. National SportsmanshipTrophy.

US Sailing has honored Bill Bentsen with both the Nathaneal G. Herreshoff Trophy for outstanding contributions to sailing and the Harmon Hawkins Trophy for outstanding contributions in the field of race administration. In 2009, the International Yacht Racing Union (now World Sailing) presented him with its highest honor for service, the Beppe Croce Trophy, for his contributions in the development of the racing rules. Bentsen, who crewed for Buddy Melges in the 1964 and 1972 Olympics and in the 1967 Pan American Games, served on the International Sailing Federation’s Racing Rules Committee for 25 years and on US Sailing’s Racing Rules and Appeals Committees for more than three decades.

Today’s Lake Geneva Yacht Club sailors, many of them products of the Geneva Lake Sailing School, also excel on the race course. In the Melges 24 Class, Harry Melges III won the 2002 World Championship, the 2002 US National Championship, and the 2014 Australian Open National Championship. In 2013, top Class E sailor Brian Porter won the Melges 24 World Championship and was named Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. Brian Porter is the 2015 Melges 24 US National Champion, and Andy Burdick, one of his crew for the World and National events, is 2015 National Champion in both MC and Class C. In 2007, Clifford Porter won the D. Verner Smythe Trophy for the US Junior Singlehanded Championship. Malcolm Lamphere’s collection of first-place finishes includes the 2011 Club 420 North American Championship, the 2012 Interscholastic Sailing Association National Singlehanded Championship (Laser Radial) for the Cressy Trophy, and the 2014 US Youth Sailing Championship for the Robert L. Johnstone III Trophy. Lamphere was one of eight sailors selected by Gary Jobson for his 2013 Jobson Junior All-Star list.

The year 2015 was an especially impressive one for the club’s young members. Sailing for Yale, ILYA MC titlist Malcolm Lamphere won the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Singlehanded National Championship; ILYA Class X Junior Champion Harry Melges IV and A Scow National Champion Vincent Porter teamed up to win the Melges 17 US National Championship and were named  first and second in the National Class E Scow Association’s National Rankings based on their finishes in various Class E regattas; and US Optimist Dinghy Midwest Champion Chapman Petersen’s win in a 73-boat fleet at the Inland Lake Yachting Association Optimist Dinghy Championship earned him not only the Opti title but also a very special accolade: he received the Inland Lake Yachting Association’s Edmund Pillsbury Memorial Cup, first awarded in 1952 to Lake Geneva’s Bill Freytag, that year’s ILYA Annual Championship winner in Class C. The Pillsbury Cup is presented to the skipper, irrespective of class, with the most outstanding record in the ILYA Annual Championships.

BACK TO YACHT CLUB STORIES PAGE

Published on July 10th, 2015 | by Editor

Buddy Melges Sailing Center Officially Opened

Published on July 10th, 2015 by Editor -->

Officers, directors, and members from Lake Geneva Yacht Club and the Geneva Lake Sailing School celebrated the official opening of their new facility – Buddy Melges Sailing Center – with a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 3.

The building is located on South Lake Shore Drive in Fontana (WI) on property that the yacht club has occupied since 1926 and where the school began in 1938. The new facility, which contains approximately 12,000 square feet of interior space, houses the sailing school on its first floor and the yacht club on the upper floor.

The entire property, which consists of approximately eight acres of land and includes a number of outbuildings, has been named the Buddy Melges Sailing Center in honor of the club’s most accomplished sailor, whose accolades include Olympic Gold and Bronze Medals, an America’s Cup win, and numerous other sailing championship awards. He was a student at the sailing school in the 1940s and later an instructor.

Briohn Construction Corporation of Brookfield, WI, was the general contractor and builder. The company began work on the property last fall.

“The new Buddy Melges Sailing Center, home of the Lake Geneva Yacht Club and the Geneva Lake Sailing School, is the culmination of many years of planning and represents a significant milestone in the history of these two great organizations,” said the yacht club’s Commodore F. Terrence Blanchard. “We believe the facility will be one of the finest sailing centers in the country and will provide current and future members and students a very special home where we can continue to promote and enjoy the sport of sailing on Geneva Lake.”

This year’s programs at the sailing school started on June 9 and will continue until mid-August. During 2014 more than 400 children and adults from the local community received their certificates. Instructors teach students in six indoor and outdoor classrooms as well as on the water. Fleet racing at the yacht club started later in June.

“The Buddy Melges Sailing Center provides a state-of-the-art facility for the Geneva Lake Sailing School to teach and grow the sport in a safe and enjoyable environment,” said the Geneva Lake Sailing School’s President Thomas Freytag, a top sailor and a graduate of the school. “We are very excited about the future of sailing on Geneva Lake.” Tom Freytag also serves as co-chair, with Past Commodore John D. Simms Jr., of the Buddy Melges Sailing Center Funding Committee and the Building Committee.

Lake Geneva Yacht Club traces its roots to 1874 and the first Sheridan Race, an event established to honor General Philip H. Sheridan during his visit to the area and a highlight on the club’s racing calendar ever since. The first clubhouse was built in 1906 at Cedar Point in Williams Bay. Members of the yacht club founded the Sailing School, which became an independent entity after being incorporated in 1953.

The Lake Geneva Yacht Club is proud to be hosting the Inland Lake Yachting Association Annual Championship Regatta, August 19 to 23. This event, which is expected to attract more than 200 boats, will also be held at Lake Geneva Yacht Club in 2016 and 2017.

Report from ILYA.

Photo caption: (left to right with scissors): Geneva Lake Sailing School President Tom Freytag, Past Commodore John D. Simms Jr., Buddy Melges, Past Commodore Gloria Melges, Commodore F. Terrence Blanchard, and other officers and directors at the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening of the new facility for the Geneva Lake Sailing School and the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. Credit: Michael Moore photo

Tags: Buddy Melges , Buddy Melges Sailing Center , growing the sport , Lake Geneva Yacht Club

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WOW 2024 Summer WOW Schedule

WOW Learn to Sail series will start on Wednesday May 29 and will meet for 5 consecutive weeks. Classes start at 4:30 pm. 

The program will include 2-hour session focused on teaching the fundamentals needed for safe operation of our Sonar Keelboats. The sailors will discuss and practice rigging the boat, tacking and gybing, steering in all points of sail, docking procedures and other skills needed to control the boat.  The instructors will provide hands on guidance every step of the way. The sailors will work in small groups to get as much tiller time as possible. 

WOW Racing Practice Series will start on Thursday May 30 and will also go for 5 weeks at 4:30pm.

This program is designed for all those sailors who want to improve their racing skills and teamwork. Each crew member will be perfecting her position on the boat, focusing on advanced skills such as fine tuning upwind, setting flying and recovering a spinnaker. The racing team will also practice starting procedures and learn tactics and strategies of sailboat racing. 

LGYC Race Series :

Racing will will be organized by the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. The participants can charter a Sonar for the Series via each team’s s Boat Captain. The Captain will be responsible for procuring the charter via online registration link below, making the charter payment and building out their team. Each team will be responsible for launching and retrieving their own Sonars. ​

Club Sonars will be available for Charter on a first come, first serve basis with Magellan participation factoring into situations where there is a tie with registration timing. 

Boat Captain’s will be responsible for paying the Charter Fee of $1000, fee is non-refundable, no rainchecks

Boat Captain may not charter more than one Sonar

2022 ILYA Annual Championship Regatta

Notice board

Hosted by ILYA

Lake Geneva Yacht Club, Fontana, Wisconsin

Notice Board

Check Out Doug Wake's Regatta Photo Album by clicking the link below

  https://medoramedia.pixieset.com/biginland2022/, c & e awards ceremony 1:45 pm under the tent, c and e update, ap will remain up., update at 2:00 pm.

MC Trophy Presentation 11:45 under the tent

Inland Lake Yachting Association Annual Championship  Wednesday, August 17, 2022 to Sunday, August 21, 2022  Lake Geneva Yacht Club 1250 Lakeshore Drive Fontana, WI 53125 (262) 275-2727

Next Race Schedule

*scrolling may be required

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Race committee actions, hearing schedule & summary.

Click here to purchase 2022 ILYA Annual Championship Regatta merchandise .

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Abbey Springs - Exceptional Lake Geneva Dining

Clubhouse Grille: A Delicious Dining Experience on Geneva Lake

At the Clubhouse Grille restaurant in Lake Geneva, we cater to both golfers and families, providing a fantastic dining experience for breakfast or lunch. Our menu changes seasonally, ensuring a variety of options to satisfy your cravings. From full breakfast plates to upscale sandwiches, burgers, salads, appetizers, and handmade pizzas, we have something for everyone.

After a round of golf, unwind at our bar, which offers a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a drink. And during the summer season, don't miss our highly popular Sunday breakfast buffet, featuring a chef-made omelet station and a delightful spread of breakfast favorites.

Operating Hours: Friday Lunch 11:00am-3:00pm Saturday-Sunday Breakfast 8:00am-11:00am Lunch 11:00am-3:00pm

Delightful Poolside Dining at the Pool Café & Coffee Shop

Operating Hours: Friday Cafe 11:00am-3:00pm Saturday-Sunday Coffee 8:00am-11:00am Cafe 11:00am-3:00pm

Yacht Club: Upscale Dining with a Breathtaking View

Operating Hours: Thursday-Saturday  5:00pm-9:00pm  

Yacht Club Menu and Dress Code:

Special events, reservations.

*Below Deck: Casual Dining with a Spectacular View

Below Deck is closed for the remainder of 2023. Thank you for another great summer season and we will see you next year! Please note that Below Deck is exclusively open for Abbey Springs owners.

Join Us for Memorable Dining Experiences on Geneva Lake

Benjamin janssen, executive chef, jennifer miller, service director, becky hoogland, clubhouse grille manager.

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Lake Geneva Yacht Club Webcam

Live lake geneva yacht club webcam.

Watch this live HD webcam from Lake Geneva Yacht Club on Lake Shore Drive in Fontana-On-Geneva-Lake, Wisconsin . Lake Geneva is a popular destination for vacationers and tourists, as it offers many activities such as swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.

Weather Fontana On Geneva Lake

In addition to the fun, keep an eye on the current weather conditions in Fontana-On-Geneva-Lake. Furthermore, take a look at the 7-day forecast above, which includes precipitation and the temperature highs and lows. Also, Below is the weather radar with interactive map, allowing you to zoom and pan to get unmatched weather details!

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New Membership Information

Dear Prospective Member:

Thank you for your interest in the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. Before you complete this application, we would like to share a little of the history, the objectives, and the sailing programs of our Club.

The Lake Geneva Yacht Club was founded in 1874 and is one of the oldest sailing clubs in the Midwest. Our club has a long and prestigious history that has been developed by interest in yachts, sailing events, and interesting personalities. We may proudly boast having many distinguished sailors within our membership both past and present. We expect that tradition to carry on into the future.

Lake Geneva Yacht Club’s mission statement is:

“The Club is organized and shall be operated primarily for the enjoyment and support of the sport of sailboat racing by Club members, their families, and guests.”

To support these objectives, the clubhouse is maintained as our center for sailing activity and social functions. Our waterfront provides beautiful lake views and fine launching facilities including four power hoists, a launch ramp, and a dinghy ramp. Our grounds and other buildings are used for dry-land boat storage.

Club races are held weekly Tuesday through Sunday, and holidays from mid-May through September. Separate races are held for Classes A, E, C, MC, and M17 Scows, as well as Class X, Optimist Dinghies, Lasers, and Melges 24s. Most classes have two or three races each week. Normal weekly schedules may be modified at times to accommodate Club hosted regattas.

The Geneva Lake Sailing School is also on site and offers classes for all levels of sailors from beginner through racing skipper, for both children and adults. Classes are conducted in International Optimist Dinghies, Prams, Class X, Club 420, Sonar, or a student’s own boat. Please contact the Sailing Director, Joe Kutschenreuter, at (262) 275-8489 for more GLSS information.

Click for Membership Application . If you have any further question or concerns, please contact the LGYC office. (262-275-2727)

Thank you again for your interest in membership. We look forward to sailing with you soon.