Please select your home edition
Edition
C-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 TOP

Chicago Yacht Club Foundation gives Special Award to Peter Thornton

by Rachelle Treiber on 14 Nov 2013
Chicago Yacht Club Foundation Board Member James Armstrong (L) presents the award to Peter Thornton (R) MISTE Photography http://www.mistephotography.com/
The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation revealed today that local lighting company owner and sailor Peter Thornton, of Burr Ridge, IL., has been given the 2013 Special Recognition Award, presented to an individual who has rendered a special service which has assisted in reaching the Foundation’s goals for civic and community outreach.

Thornton, who sails on the Volvo 70 Il mostro, made it possible for world-renowned sailor Ken Read to speak at the 2013 Neill Advanced Sailing Clinic (NASC), hosted by the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation, through the Club’s Sailing School. The racing clinic is for the country’s most accomplished junior 420 sailors who are working hard to elevate their racing skills to the next level.

Foundation President Walter 'Gibby' Vartan said the award, given to Thornton at the annual Mac Awards Ceremony on November 2, recognizes an outstanding act of generosity that is unique, but not necessarily based on monetary value.

'Mr. Read spent time at the clinic sharing his experiences and racing tips to the assembled young sailors attending this nationally-known clinic, and also served as the featured speaker at the NASC banquet,' Vartan said. 'This was an extraordinary opportunity that would not have been otherwise possible but for the generosity of Mr. Thornton, a top-notch sailor in his own right.'

Thornton, a longtime Chicago Yacht Club member, said he thinks people should give back any way they can to support the Foundation and sailing in Chicago in general.

'We see what is taking place out there with the dwindling participation and I thought it was time for some of the senior members of the Club, those who can, to give support – not just money but any support they can give,' Thornton said. 'Kenny has sailed with me for the last couple of years and he puts on a pretty nice presentation. The junior sailors enjoyed seeing him and listening to his stories of his feats in circumnavigation and sailing around the world and sailing the America’s Cup. I’ve always thought the best sailors were those that sailed by the seat of their pants and used their own instincts in racing and he does that.'

This isn’t Thornton’s first time giving back to the Foundation. Last year he took a group of high school students from the Rickover Naval Academy in Edgewater for a ride on Il mostro. The Foundation provides support for Rickover’s sailing team.

'Last year and this year you could see in their faces how excited the kids were. They got a kick out of it. I’m already racking my brain to see what we can do next year.'


Il mostro took third place in the Turbo - Chicago-Mackinac Trophy Division in this year’s Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac, Presented by Veuve Clicquot. Last year Thornton and his crew brought the Royono Trophy, awarded for line honors in the racing division, back to the Chicago Yacht Club after a four-year absence. He says he will be back next year in another attempt to reach his goal - beating Roy Disney’s 2002 monohull record of 23 hours, 30 minutes, and 34 seconds in the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.

The Chicago Yacht Club Foundation’s Special Recognition Award is a plaque illustrating the Foundation’s charter to Teach, Challenge and Empower. It includes a design which encircles the image of Poseidon the Greek God of the Sea. Poseidon was relied upon by sailors for safe voyage on the sea. Chicago Yacht Club

North Sails Loft 57 PodcastArmstrong 728x90 - Performance Mast Range - BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

18ft Skiff SIXT Spring Championship Race 2
Also the first race of the Club Championship on Sydney Harbour for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy After last Sunday's opening race of the season had to be abandoned when 30-knot Westerly winds swept across the course, racing finally got underway when the Australian 18 Footers League sailed for the Alf Beashel Memorial Trophy, on Sydney Harbour today.
Posted today at 7:55 am
Globe40 2025/26 Stage 2 Update
Belgium Ocean Racing - Curium and Credit Mutuel 1 mile apart in the forties The incredible duel between the Belgian and French contenders continues in the forties after 4,890 miles of racing! Late Friday, as they passed Gough Island, Benoit Hantzperg and Renaud Dehareng seemed to have gained a small cushion of miles (28.8)
Posted today at 6:19 am
VX One North American Championship overall
Christopher Alexander dominates final day to win The 2025 VX One North American Championship wrapped up in spectacular fashion at Gulfport Yacht Club, where Chris Alexander, sailing his brand-new boat Counterproductive alongside Ricky Welch and Chandler Self, delivered a final day for the history books.
Posted today at 12:31 am
Rolex Middle Sea Race: Up and running
The fleet departed from Grand Harbour at 11am on Saturday This morning at 11.00, the 46th Rolex Middle Sea Race got under way from Grand Harbour. The gathered fleet was gently propelled out of the magnificent amphitheatre, assisted by an easterly breeze that built as yachts closed on the exit to the open sea.
Posted on 18 Oct
iQFOiL Youth & Junior Europeans 2025 preview
306 of Europe's most talented young sailors gather in North Sardinia The stunning waters of North Sardinia are about to welcome the 2025 European Youth & Junior Championships, hosted by Club Nautico Arzachena.
Posted on 18 Oct
46th Rolex Middle Sea Race underway
Competitors tackle the challenging and scenic 606-nautical mile course The 46th edition of one of sailing's great offshore races commenced earlier today from the Maltese capital Valletta. A revered and historic event, the Rolex Middle Sea Race always welcomes an impressive and diverse international fleet.
Posted on 18 Oct
2025 Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos day 2
Foilstyle delivers and tow-in turns up the drama After a lively opening day and a calm morning at the lagoon, the second day of the Freestyle Pro Tour Naxos once again brought light winds to the Aegean.
Posted on 18 Oct
2025 Aloha Classic Grand Final day 4
Masters shine, juniors crowned, and finals await The 41st Aloha Classic has come to a thrilling close under perfect Ho'okipa conditions. Finals Day delivered powerful surf, strong trades, and a genuine crowd stretched all along the beach park cheering the champions of the Unified World Wave Tour.
Posted on 18 Oct
New Bedford youth sailors take on the Bermuda Race
The team hopes to break barriers while taking on the challenge of the 636-nautical-mile race Big things are happening in Massachusetts' Whaling City! The New Bedford Community Boating Center (CBC) recently registered its youth offshore sailing team for the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race.
Posted on 18 Oct
Preserve Performance with Expert Sail Care
Don't wait until small issues become big ones Your sails work hard every time you head out on the water. Regular service is the key to maintaining their shape, extending their life, and protecting your investment.
Posted on 18 Oct