2025 LYRA Race Week Note

Posted by Chris Hogarth in Mar, 2025

I’m writing to you today to reinforce to our LYRA membership the good will and camaraderie we have developed over our 141-year history. The Lake Yacht Racing Association is one of, if not the oldest international amateur sports association in North America, established in 1884 to promote the sport of yacht racing between our great nations. Since our founding, Canadian and American men and women have helped our nations grow and prosper. To many of us on both sides of the border, it feels like our current moment is straining the relationship between our two countries, but through all of our history LYRA member clubs and racers have fostered a sense of community and sporting competition across borders. We hope LYRA 2025 will continue the proud traditions of years past.

My Grandfather Forrestall was born in Nova Scotia. He and his family lived in Halifax when the munitions boat exploded in the harbor (harbour!). Grandpa’s brother, Uncle Howard, lost his eye from flying glass as he sat in the highchair in their kitchen. My father’s grandfather emigrated to Canada. After his death, his wife moved and settled in Detroit. I was born in Detroit as was my entire family. Dad attended high school in Windsor Ontario. These are the kind of connections shared between Canadians and Americans, and LYRA has been part of fostering these connections since 1884.

Throughout our long history politicians have come and gone, but LYRA’s goal and focus has always remained: the love and respect we have for our sport and for each other.

Bob Carey
Secretary
Lake Yacht Racing Association

Co-Chair
2025 LYRA Race Week