This fall, the heart of the Midwest will once again be home to some of the most competitive sailing in the United States as the Chicago Yacht Club (CYC) embraces the 2025 U.S. Match Racing Championship. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Windy City skyline, this storied venue will host the nation’s premier open match racing event from October 10 – 12, continuing a proud legacy of high-level sailing and match racing excellence.
Founded in 1875, Chicago Yacht Club is one of the oldest and most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. The club operates year-round from two premier, lakefront stations at Monroe and Belmont Harbors. These locations offer not only top tier sailing facilities but also fine dining, full-service catering, and a vibrant calendar of activities for members ages 4 to 104. The club also boasts one of the largest junior sailing programs in the country, a critical pipeline for the next generation of elite sailors. “We’ve seen our junior sailors go on to excel in all areas of the sport, including match racing, which speaks volumes about the culture of growth and opportunity at our club,” said Regatta Manager, Patrick Burks.
CYC’s mission, rooted in the advancement of all aspects of yachting, makes it no stranger to world-class competition. From hosting the iconic Race to Mackinac, to numerous North American and World Championships, including the 2024 U.S. Women’s Match Racing Championship and two previous U.S. Match Racing Championships, the club is a bedrock of competitive sailing in the U.S.
The tradition of match racing in Chicago is both deep and distinguished. “CYC is carrying forward the legacy of the Chicago Match Race Center by remaining the central hub for match racing in the Midwest and Great Lakes region,” said Burks. “Hosting U.S. and World Championships is a natural continuation of that legacy.” This tradition includes hosting and attracting top national and international talent through high-profile events, including this year’s Women’s Match Racing World Championship. Leading up to the Women’s Match Racing Worlds, Chicago Yacht Club is currently hosting an Advanced Women’s focused Match Racing Clinegatta this last weekend of July. This special event will serve as a “Pre-Worlds” training opportunity through US Sailing’s David Storrs Match Racing Fund which is proudly sponsoring renowned match racing coach Dave Perry for the weekend. With such a rich history, the return of the U.S. Match Racing Championship to Lake Michigan feels less like a new chapter and more like a homecoming.
For Burks and the CYC team, these events are more than a weekend of racing: they’re a celebration of sport development, camaraderie, and quality race officiating. “One of my favorite parts about hosting sailors is seeing them develop and grow over time. Particularly in match racing, which is such a close-knit community, you see many of the same teams return year after year and evolve as competitors and as people.”
The 2025 Championship will be sailed in the club’s fleet of Tom 28s, a class beloved by match racers for its responsiveness and tactical precision. Competitors can expect “fun and fair racing at a high level,” said Burks, “in fun boats, in front of an iconic skyline.” The road to the 2025 Championship began with regional qualifiers across the country. These include events at Chicago Yacht Club, St. Francis Yacht Club, and the Oakcliff Sailing Center, among others. View the full list of qualifiers here.
For aspiring hosts considering taking on a championship of this caliber, Burks offers his experienced advice: “It can sound like a long and daunting process, but one detail at a time and you can make it happen. You can also reach out to the veteran hosts with any question, we’re eager to help!”
As the nation’s top match racing teams prepare to square off on Lake Michigan this fall, all eyes will be on Chicago Yacht Club, where tradition meets innovation, and the spirit of competition thrives on and off the water.
For more information about the 2025 U.S. Match Racing Championship, visit the event website.