Author: Bill O'Hanley, Commodore of the Ida Lewis Yacht Club; Photo: Stephen R. Cloutier
I am writing to invite your club to be part of something meaningful to the future of
keelboat racing and to the continued vitality of our yacht clubs: introducing young sailors
to the experience of offshore keelboat sailing.
This year marks the twenty-first sailing of the Ida Lewis Distance Race (ILDR). We
would be honored if your club considered fielding one or more entries under your
burgee in either the Youth Challenge or Collegiate class of the 2026 ILDR.
These classes were created to give young sailors the opportunity to experience the
challenge, teamwork, seamanship, and camaraderie that make offshore overnight
racing so special. For many young sailors, this kind of experience can open the door to
a lifelong interest in keelboat racing and a deeper connection to the sailing community.
We all share an interest in encouraging the next generation of sailors. They are the
future members of our clubs, the future crews for our owners and skippers, and the
future stewards of the traditions we care so much about. The ILDR Youth Challenge and
Collegiate classes provide a supportive and exciting way to help them take that next
step.
I would be grateful if you would share this invitation with your membership and with
anyone at your club who may know of young sailors, coaches, owners, or families who
might be interested in participating. I hope that, together, we can help inspire new participation and welcome a strong fleet of young sailors to the 2026 Ida Lewis Distance Race.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
- Bill O'Hanley, Commodore of Ida Lewis Yacht Club