Yacht Club Argentino
21 November 2004 - 22:02
In 1861 a group of enthusiasts founded the Boating Society but it was not to last as a big storm cut its life short by destroying its few boats.
In those days, Don Hortensio Aguirre Anchorena owned a sailing yacht called the Nemo somewhat larger with which he and his friends made some memorable cruises even reaching the north of Patagonia. One must remember that the coasts in those days were hostile with no proper ports and little chance of refuge. These activities led to a meeting of relatives and friends, all young and enthusiastics sailors, which included members of the extinct Boating Society, and the subsequent foundation in 1882 of the Yacht Club Nacional. This started with the common use of a cutter called Ariel, first vessel of the Club.
The following year on the 2nd of July 1883 at a General Meeting of the same members of the Club was founded a new with the name of the YACHT CLUB ARGENTINO and Hortensio Aguirre Anchorena became its first Commodore.
The example spread to other enthusiasts and more boats appeared in the Club register the first, if not the dean, of yacht clubs in South America. And immediately the Executive Committee organized the first race with the participation of three yachts.
In 1886 the first International Regatta was planned with the object of stimulating the construction of sailing yachts in many yards that existed at the time, the distance to be sailed was 40 miles.
As the fleet grew better moorings became and absolute necessity and very difficult to find apart from two rivers, the Riachuelo and the Tigre, the latter distant from the town. The Club obtained a corner in the Riachuelo.
In 1897 the construction of the port of Buenos Aires finished but it was only in 1911 that a suitable spot was found and obtained from the Government, and the houseboat which had served as a clubhouse was brought to the new place, the present building was initated, a more suitable clubhouse, which was inaugurated on the 23rd of December 1915.
The number of members continued to grow as also the fleet of small and large yachts with great enthusiasm for the races. Contrary to the usage of those times the female sex was admitted to the membership.
The Yacht Club Argentino in 1907 played an active part in the foundation of the International Yacht Racing Union in Paris, today the International Sailing Federation, and was admitted and recognized as National Authority for Argentina the following year in 1909. From that moment all races were held under the IYRU rules, which were immediately translated into Spanish for the benefit of the first clubs to appear on the local scene. This has continued to be done until present times.
Again in 1907 with the help of a group members, at that time on a cruise to Montevideo, uruguayan enthusiasts founded the Yacht Club Uruguayo. Since then it has been habitual to organize races with them in Montevideo or Punta del Este.
Since the last century, as in the present, one cruises to the southern Argentine waters have slowly increased in spite of the distances involved. Cruises also commenced from Europe, to begin with principally to bring larger yachts purchased there but in 1931 four young enthusiastics sailors sailed the Ingrid, a double-ender some 10 metres overall, to Buenos Aires with Martn Ezcurra as skipper and owner.
The Brazilian coast became attractive to Argentine yachtsmen especially with the first Buenos Aires- Ro de Janeiro race held in the first month of 1947 which showed the way for a 1200 mile ocean race. Subsequent races have seen the presence of American and European yachts.
The Club has always been an important promotor of yacht races, 365 yearly at this moment especially those of the International classes as also motor boat races. From the beginning of this century the Club has imported yachts for its memebers, mention can be made of the following International Classes: 12, 10, 8, 8,50 (known locally as the French Class), 6.5 meters, Colleen, Snipe, Star, 505, Soling, 470, Laser, etc. As can be seen it has fully carried out its commitment to the sport. It constructed fleets of Dragons, Firefly, Finn, Cadet, and Optimist and stimulated the construction of local classes such as the Grumete designed by one of its Members Germn Frers. All this activity led to the creation of fleets of many of these classes and can be seen benefiting not only its sailors but those of other Clubs.
It has stimulated its members in competing in International events by supporting those representations in obtaining the local permits for embartion and temporary export as also from the monetary point of view.
In 1924 for the first time a delegation of the YCA took part in the Olympic Games held in Paris as Argentine representatives with the 8 meter Blue Red wich proved to be unequal to the waters of the English Channel where the races took place.
In 1936 at the Kiel Olympics another group of sailors took part in the 6 and 8 meters classes. Since then the Club has always been active in the representation of Argentina in different Olympics.
With respect to motorboating since its appearance as a racing sport the YCA has organized many events for different classes including some world records such as that of Kaye Don. On the 26th of November of 1927 a meeting was held in Brussels and the Union Internationale Motonautique was formed with the Yacht Club Argentino figuring as a founding member, continuing to this day as National Authority for this country.
On the 3rd of September 1937 by initiative of the Club the Comit Deportivo Motonautico subsequently the Federacin Motonatica Argentina was created which has dedicated itself principally to the local events leaving the principal international ones to the Club as also the Southamerican ones.
As the recognized National Auhtority by ISAF(ex IYRU) the representatives of the Club have been assiduos in attending the meetings of that International body and acting as representatives of Group M, composed by Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Per and Uruguay, with a seat on the Council. Originally this included Brasil but the Club realized the importance of obtaining a seat for Brazil which eventually happened. It also plays a part in the selection of crews which represent the country in International events and has obtained the participation of yachts in the Admirals Cup, CommodoresCup, Class Championships and other events of a similar nature.
It acts as representative of the Offshore Racing Council sending delegates to its meetings, issuing the necessary rating certificates for the handicapping classes especially IMS for which it is authorized to process Certificates. The club introduced the first measurement machine for IMS in Latin America carring out in many cases measurements and processing for other countries by sending its measurers with the necesary equipment.
By invitation the Club has been visited by the following authorities, Paul Henderson, Jonathan Janson, Hal Wagstaff, Anthony Watts, Simon Forbes, Alan Greeen and other personalities. With reference to the Union Internationale Motonautique it holds the continental Vicepresidency, has attended all the meetings, has published and translated rules, etc. The Club has 3300 members, 38 vessels which include launches for Committee purposes, sailboats for members, for the sailing schools, inflatables, etc.
It has three bases:
Drsena Nortein the port of Buenos Aires which has a clubhouse, moorings, haulout, changing rooms, and the central administration.
Its schools teach the techniques of sailing and navegation emitting the necessary certificates of competence. It has also classes on race tactics and training for the J-24 and Optimist Classes, given by a select group of teachers and trainers at its schools in Drsena Norte, San Fernando and Mar del Plata.
San Fernando in the Province of Buenos Aires some 25 kilometers from the city which has its clubhouse, a large haul out yard with a travel lift and competent personnel of shipwrights and moorings for over 500 yachts.
An island in the Delta Paran.
Mar del Plata, 450 kilometers from Buenos Aires and on the South Atlantic Ocean with moorings, a club house, a bech resort and club sailing boats.
Apart from the races on the estuary of the River Plate, shallow but windy with short, steep seas, which can be unpleasant and even dangerous, the Club organizes two important ocean races, one to Mar del Plat, and the other to Ro de Janeiro. In 1982 it received the stop over in Mar del Plata of the Whitbread Race, and at this moment is arranging to again receive a round the world prestigious race.
If Buenos Aires had been chosen for the 2004 Olympics the Club was chosen as the organizer of the yachting events. In 1861 a group of enthusiasts founded the Boating Society but it was not to last as a big storm cut its life short by destroying its few boats.
In those days, Don Hortensio Aguirre Anchorena owned a sailing yacht called the Nemo somewhat larger with which he and his friends made some memorable cruises even reaching the north of Patagonia. One must remember that the coasts in those days were hostile with no proper ports and little chance of refuge. These activities led to a meeting of relatives and friends, all young and enthusiastics sailors, which included members of the extinct Boating Society, and the subsequent foundation in 1882 of the Yacht Club Nacional. This started with the common use of a cutter called Ariel, first vessel of the Club.
The following year on the 2nd of July 1883 at a General Meeting of the same members of the Club was founded a new with the name of the YACHT CLUB ARGENTINO and Hortensio Aguirre Anchorena became its first Commodore. The example spread to other enthusiasts and more boats appeared in the Club register the first, if not the dean, of yacht clubs in South America. And immediately the Executive Committee organized the first race with the participation of three yachts.
In 1886 the first International Regatta was planned with the object of stimulating the construction of sailing yachts in many yards that existed at the time, the distance to be sailed was 40 miles. As the fleet grew better moorings became and absolute necessity and very difficult to find apart from two rivers, the Riachuelo and the Tigre, the latter distant from the town. The Club obtained a corner in the Riachuelo.
In 1897 the construction of the port of Buenos Aires finished but it was only in 1911 that a suitable spot was found and obtained from the Government, and the houseboat which had served as a clubhouse was brought to the new place, the present building was initated, a more suitable clubhouse, which was inaugurated on the 23rd of December 1915.
The number of members continued to grow as also the fleet of small and large yachts with great enthusiasm for the races. Contrary to the usage of those times the female sex was admitted to the membership.
The Yacht Club Argentino in 1907 played an active part in the foundation of the International Yacht Racing Union in Paris, today the International Sailing Federation, and was admitted and recognized as National Authority for Argentina the following year in 1909. From that moment all races were held under the IYRU rules, which were immediately translated into Spanish for the benefit of the first clubs to appear on the local scene. This has continued to be done until present times.
Again in 1907 with the help of a group members, at that time on a cruise to Montevideo, uruguayan enthusiasts founded the Yacht Club Uruguayo. Since then it has been habitual to organize races with them in Montevideo or Punta del Este.
Since the last century, as in the present, one cruises to the southern Argentine waters have slowly increased in spite of the distances involved. Cruises also commenced from Europe, to begin with principally to bring larger yachts purchased there but in 1931 four young enthusiastics sailors sailed the Ingrid, a double-ender some 10 metres overall, to Buenos Aires with Martn Ezcurra as skipper and owner.
The Brazilian coast became attractive to Argentine yachtsmen especially with the first Buenos Aires- Ro de Janeiro race held in the first month of 1947 which showed the way for a 1200 mile ocean race. Subsequent races have seen the presence of American and European yachts.
The Club has always been an important promotor of yacht races, 365 yearly at this moment especially those of the International classes as also motor boat races. From the beginning of this century the Club has imported yachts for its memebers, mention can be made of the following International Classes: 12, 10, 8, 8,50 (known locally as the French Class), 6.5 meters, Colleen, Snipe, Star, 505, Soling, 470, Laser, etc. As can be seen it has fully carried out its commitment to the sport. It constructed fleets of Dragons, Firefly, Finn, Cadet, and Optimist and stimulated the construction of local classes such as the Grumete designed by one of its Members Germn Frers. All this activity led to the creation of fleets of many of these classes and can be seen benefiting not only its sailors but those of other Clubs.
It has stimulated its members in competing in International events by supporting those representations in obtaining the local permits for embartion and temporary export as also from the monetary point of view.
In 1924 for the first time a delegation of the YCA took part in the Olympic Games held in Paris as Argentine representatives with the 8 meter Blue Red wich proved to be unequal to the waters of the English Channel where the races took place.
In 1936 at the Kiel Olympics another group of sailors took part in the 6 and 8 meters classes. Since then the Club has always been active in the representation of Argentina in different Olympics.
With respect to motorboating since its appearance as a racing sport the YCA has organized many events for different classes including some world records such as that of Kaye Don. On the 26th of November of 1927 a meeting was held in Brussels and the Union Internationale Motonautique was formed with the Yacht Club Argentino figuring as a founding member, continuing to this day as National Authority for this country.
With respect to motorboating since its appearance as a racing sport the YCA has organized many events for different classes including some world records such as that of Kaye Don. On the 26th of November of 1927 a meeting was held in Brussels and the Union Internationale Motonautique was formed with the Yacht Club Argentino figuring as a founding member, continuing to this day as National Authority for this country.
On the 3rd of September 1937 by initiative of the Club the Comit Deportivo Motonautico subsequently the Federacin Motonatica Argentina was created which has dedicated itself principally to the local events leaving the principal international ones to the Club as also the Southamerican ones.
As the recognized National Auhtority by ISAF(ex IYRU) the representatives of the Club have been assiduos in attending the meetings of that International body and acting as representatives of Group M, composed by Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Per and Uruguay, with a seat on the Council. Originally this included Brasil but the Club realized the importance of obtaining a seat for Brazil which eventually happened. It also plays a part in the selection of crews which represent the country in International events and has obtained the participation of yachts in the Admirals Cup, CommodoresCup, Class Championships and other events of a similar nature.
It acts as representative of the Offshore Racing Council sending delegates to its meetings, issuing the necessary rating certificates for the handicapping classes especially IMS for which it is authorized to process Certificates. The club introduced the first measurement machine for IMS in Latin America carring out in many cases measurements and processing for other countries by sending its measurers with the necesary equipment.
By invitation the Club has been visited by the following authorities, Paul Henderson, Jonathan Janson, Hal Wagstaff, Anthony Watts, Simon Forbes, Alan Greeen and other personalities. With reference to the Union Internationale Motonautique it holds the continental Vicepresidency, has attended all the meetings, has published and translated rules, etc. The Club has 3300 members, 38 vessels which include launches for Committee purposes, sailboats for members, for the sailing schools, inflatables, etc.
It has three bases:
Drsena Nortein the port of Buenos Aires which has a clubhouse, moorings, haulout, changing rooms, and the central administration. Its schools teach the techniques of sailing and navegation emitting the necessary certificates of competence. It has also classes on race tactics and training for the J-24 and Optimist Classes, given by a select group of teachers and trainers at its schools in Drsena Norte, San Fernando and Mar del Plata. San Fernando in the Province of Buenos Aires some 25 kilometers from the city which has its clubhouse, a large haul out yard with a travel lift and competent personnel of shipwrights and moorings for over 500 yachts.
An island in the Delta Paran.
Mar del Plata, 450 kilometers from Buenos Aires and on the South Atlantic Ocean with moorings, a club house, a bech resort and club sailing boats.
Apart from the races on the estuary of the River Plate, shallow but windy with short, steep seas, which can be unpleasant and even dangerous, the Club organizes two important ocean races, one to Mar del Plat, and the other to Ro de Janeiro. In 1982 it received the stop over in Mar del Plata of the Whitbread Race, and at this moment is arranging to again receive a round the world prestigious race. If Buenos Aires had been chosen for the 2004 Olympics the Club was chosen as the organizer of the yachting events.
YACHT CLUB ARGENTINO
Viamonte y Ro de la Plata
Drsena Norte - (1107) Buenos Aires - Argentina
Web Site: http://www.yca.org.ar
E-Mail: yca@yca.org.ar
