Community Corner

Grosse Pointe Yacht Club to Host National Boating Competition

An annual sailing competition is expected to bring hundreds of people to the Grosse Pointes this summer.

The Grosse Pointe Yacht Club will be hosting the United States Optimist Dinghy Association National Championships this coming July.

The event, which is a competition among sailors ages 8 to 15, is expected to draw more than 400 people to the area. Yacht Club Commodore Bill Vogel has spoken about the event to several of the Grosse Pointe city councils to inform them of the influx of traffic and visitors.

A committee through the Yacht Club is working behind-the-scenes to prepare and plan for the championship, which is scheduled for July 6 to 14.

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Last year the championships were held at the Sandusky Sailing Club and the area was infused with an estimated $3.5 to $5 million, according to information Vogel provided to the Grosse Pointe Farms council.

In addition to the sailors, their families and coaches as well as championship officials will be staying in the area.

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The event will include off-site parking and shuttles, all of which is being coordinated and planned now in an attempt to make for a successful gathering.

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