John Sangmeister, whose most famous win was the 1987 America’s Cup with Dennis Connor, will be our guest speaker at the February Monthly Meeting. Known as a passionate sailor and a well-known entrepreneur, Sangmeister has also served on the Board of Directors for U.S. Sailing.
John will touch on some of his racing highlights, and some lows too. He also hopes to promote Arizona Yacht Club’s participation in the 2024 Newport to Ensenada Race. John states “We are hoping to attract 10 boats to compete in the Newport to San Diego leg.”
Read John’s complete bio here.
Through the years, John has raced a Santa Cruz 70, a Formula 40 catamaran, and a 70-foot stretched ORMA trimaran. He sailed with Dennis Connor on the 1992 Stars and Stripes America’s Cup campaign and in the last decade he’s sailed frequently with his family.
In 2013, his boat, Lending Club, a modified ORMA 73 trimaran was the first to cross the finish line in the Transpac. They were attempting to set the speed record that year, but a debris field collision slowed them down, missing the record by 2 hours and 26 minutes.
In 2019, during his eighth Transpac, John was the skipper of the Orient Express, a Santa Cruz 70 OEX, the first boat to sink during a Transpac race. Undoubtedly, John has faced some challenges during his years as a sailor, but he has tales of greatness to go along with the calamity.
Guests are always welcome at our monthly meetings so invite a friend and come early for the dinner and social hour beginning at 6 pm.
Tuesday, February 13 at 7 pm.
Dave and Busters in Tempe Marketplace
2000 E Rio Salado Pkwy / Suite 1100 / Tempe AZ 85281
John is the owner of “Gladstone” restaurants in Long Beach and San Diego and is also a frequent sailing sponsor. Read his complete bio here.
