On Saturday June 21st,the Western Lake Michigan Star Fleet and the Racine Yacht Club celebrated one of the oldest active Star Fleets in the world (70+years) with their annual Jim Fox Memorial 59th Mission Regatta and special presentations by international Star Class President Bill Allen.

The origins of Star Boat sailing in Racine can be traced back to the pre-WWII period of 1938-40 and in Kenosha a year or so later. During this early period from 1938 through 1948, there were no formally chartered fleets in Racine or Kenosha until they decided to combine forces and establish the current Western Lake Michigan Star Fleet (WLM) Charter in 1948. During this 70+ years, there have been 64 boats, 100 skippers and at least 150 crew members. Boats #377, 412, 1236 and 1333 sailed in these early fleets. Today, we have in our fleet 16 boats with four Stars bearing 8000 numbers.

Star Class President Bill Allen honored 7 living members of that original group with Star Class Incentive Award Medals for their contributions - Bill Berby, Carly Tomasek, Kaiser Kasabian, Herman Jansen, Fred Guenther, Mitch Stykowski and Butch Grasser. These men are our own "Greatest Generation". Little did they know that their early Star sailing would continue for 70+ years leaving behind them one of the oldest active Star Fleets in the world.

The 59th Mission Regatta is one of WLM Fleet's annual regattas honoring long time RYC member Jim Fox's WWII service. The regatta is supported by the Jim Fox family, with the fleets special Thanks to them. Rick Hennig and his crew year after year run the best races we can ask for and this year was no different.