THE KAREN GOTTWALD INTERVIEW

Ever since her election as President of the USMCA earlier this year, Karen Gottwald has been working flat out to pull together a strong Executive Team, ratify a formal USMCA Constitution and continue the revitalisation of the US Class begun by Jeff Jones. Oh – and in her spare time she’s chairing the organising committee for the 2005 Melges 24 Worlds and has launched a new company! Fi Brown caught up with this human dynamo to find out just what’s going on in the USA.

FB - Where do you call home and what got you into sailing in the first place?

KG - I grew up and currently live in Chicago. I got involved in sailing when I was a child (5 years old) sailing with my entire family of 5. My Dad and I ended up racing together for over 25 years. You will see my parents and my sister around many venues. My brother is also an avid sailor (and doing extremely well as a new member in the J/105 class). I am very lucky to have my family around me.

FB - When did you first start M24 sailing? What attracted you to the boat originally and why have you stayed with the class?

KG - The M24 was the first boat I ever bought. I started racing in 1998. I picked the M24 due to the design of the boat and the excitement of the fleet. The Melges is a perfect boat for a number of reasons - the ease of trailering, it is a boat for people of all sizes. The racing venues give me a chance to travel to places I would not have travelled to before. All the Melges sailors "get it", love sailing, and try to be helpful to grow the sport. The professionals involved in our sport are very helpful to the beginners and realize that support is imperative to keep the class vibrant.

FB - When and how did you first become involved with the Worlds 05 management committee and the USMCA management team?

KG - I was approached to put a bid in to host the Worlds 05 in December 03. I "learned" how to write a bid (with much needed guidance from the IMCA) and the bid was eventually approved. It was a good learning experience that I urge everyone to undertake! Since the venue is not a yacht club, additional preparation was needed to ensure all important points and needs were covered.

In running the Worlds, I thought it would be helpful to get involved on the USMCA management team. I was approved as the Vice President of the USMCA in 2004. Unfortunately, our President, Jeff Jones, needed to tend to other personal items, realized that the Class was in good hands, and resigned in early January 2005. Andy Burdick, Jeff, and Joy Dunigan did a terrific job helping to keep the USMCA together at a time when it needed it the most. I am humbled and honored that the US Class is giving me this opportunity to lead the Class to the next level.

FB - Having initially joined the USMCA management team specifically in connection with running the Worlds what made you want to take on a bigger role with the class?

KG - I saw the US Class at a crossroads - I felt an undertow of pent up demand, just waiting to burst out. It's not every day that one has a chance to really make a difference in such a large class. The pent up demand and excitement made it easier for me to entice people to help guide the growth of this class. I have surrounded myself with an extremely strong and eager Executive Committee (Scott Gregory, Travis Weisleder, Andy Burdick, Joy Dunigan, and Bryan Bayerdorffer) who have been working tirelessly to create a stronger structure in our Class to support the growth.

FB - As President of the USMCA what do you see as your key responsibilities and duties?

KG - The key duty as President is to open up the communication within our class. Every Class Member is our customer. They need to have a voice, they need to feel that the Executive Committee is there to help support the growth of their respective fleets. The last 5 regattas averaged 43 boats on the line. The next duty is to ensure that the Class has a structure to support the needs of the class. The third duty is to provide for succession planning. We have such a strong Executive Committee, that we are not at a loss for strong leadership and are well taken care of for the next 5-6 years.

FB - You have a new team of very active sailors who have stepped forward to join you on the USMCA management team. Tell us a little about them and what their roles will be.

KG - I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of the USMCA management team for working tirelessly the past 4 months - always behind the scenes never asking for accolades.

Scott Gregory is our Vice President - He owns Team Satisfaction and was a very active Southeast District Governor. Scott is a successful attorney. His talents have proved to be helpful in numerous ways. He was the author of our much needed Constitution and constantly thinks in a diligent and disciplined manner to ensure that we follow our own rules. I rely so heavily on Scott - he has allowed us to avoid numerous pitfalls along the way!

Travis Weisleder is our Treasurer and Secretary - He owns Carloan.com and knows how to keep the group fiscally responsible. He carefully protects our funds and has generously helped the class along with his sponsorship to allow for much needed photographs and video. These photos and video are imperative for us to get regatta sponsorships and other funding. Travis' experience running a company has brought an array of marketing, treasury, and administrative talents to the Class. Travis and Joy are the reason why our online registration was instituted so quickly with little interruptions.

Andy Burdick is our Builder Consultant - Andy has always been the glue that has held the US Class together. The quiet, anonymous, and understated support that Andy, Harry, and Eric have given the Class has not gone un-noticed lately. We have built a stronger relationship with Melges Performance Sailboats - a more symbiotic relationship. The USMCA is very lucky to have such a supportive builder and group of friends that we have in Melges Performance Sailboats.

Joy Dunigan is our Class Communications Director - That title really doesn't give Joy's efforts justice. She has designed and constantly updates our website. Joy ensures that the activities in our fleet get out to the press. In the four short months, I have received numerous accolades about our website. Joy's never-ending enthusiasm and public relations background has brought a new targeted approach to the market that has reaped many benefits in such a short time frame. She also has donated an usually large amount of her time to our fleet. We wouldn't be where we are without her devotion to the Class.

Bryan Bayerdorffer is the newest addition to our Group. He is the Technical Committee Chairman. Bryan's job is never-ending. He is heading up a group to ensure that all boats have current certificates, that we are current on all the rules and regulations. Bryan has stepped up to the plate with much work ahead of him. I am grateful for his enthusiasm and courage!

We are very lucky to have this group supporting the Class!

FB - I understand you have recently ratified a formal constitution for the USMCA, what prompted you to take this action and why is it so important for the USMCA?

Each National Class is so vastly different, that each Class has different needs. The IMCA Constitution was thoughtful in leaving each National Class to tend to its own specific needs. We realized that the US needed to have a structure in place that would give a formalized voice to EVERY member of our class. We are a large class with many members that spans out over a large amount of land. This Constitution brings continuity, structure, and a road map to follow in the future. The Constitution delineates officers’ responsibilities which enables the officers to do their job.

FB - The decision to increase the USMCA membership fees was initially a controversial one. Why was such an increase necessary and how will the funds be used?

The result of increasing the dues enabled the new Executive Committee to hear from a large number of members in a short period of time! We took ALL the members comments to heart. I believe most members now realize that they are getting value for their dues. They are seeing action from our new expanded Executive Committee and are seeing an increase in regatta participation. In addition, this increased communication also allowed for people with a lot of passion for this class to get more involved - this is the members’ class.

The fiscal need was a result of two issues. One is that we needed a larger cash balance as cushion for any unexpected expenditures. The other reason is to support the growth of the class. There was a need for additional structure in the class, and additional marketing (to attract sponsors in the long run). The US is a tough place to run a class, and it is not cheap to run a class effectively. The increased participation in the racing allows for the value of the boats to remain stable (if not increase).

Everyone on the Executive Committee, aside from Joy, does not get paid anything - they don't get perks. They just donate their time because they are passionate about the class. Joy donates as much time as anyone else on the Committee as well. It is astounding the amount of time that everyone dedicates to this class currently.

FB - What do you feel are the current strengths and weaknesses of the USMCA and how do you hope to see the class developing in the next 3-5 years?

KG - In the past few weeks, we have gotten comments that the Melges Class is the hottest class in the US. It is the most active and enthusiastic. Candidly, the challenge is to keep up this excitement so the participation will remain at this level.

The USMCA has a strong management committee who understands that the members are our customers - that is one of our greatest strengths.

The USMCA needs to continue to concentrate on the Corinthian aspect of our fleet. Our largest challenge is to make sure EVERYONE keeps having fun - specifically the back part of our fleet. They are the people who matter the most. The talent pool in the fleet keeps getting deeper. But we can't lose participation because of that fact.

FB - In tandem with your involvement with the USMCA you have also become a member of the IMCA Executive Committee. How important is it that the USMCA has good representation at the IMCA?

KG - Since the USMCA comprises of 39% of the International Class, it is imperative that we have good representation at the IMCA. You will see an increased attention on behalf of the US fleet to the IMCA. Scott Gregory is our new addition to the IMCA and will be a wonderful contributor to the Committee. The IMCA has been supportive in everything that we have been trying to accomplish in the States, and I am personally grateful for their support!

FB - As well as taking on the responsibility of leading the USMCA you are also hard at work organising the Ocean Reef Melges 24 Worlds. Ocean Reef is a very special location which has only recently started hosting sailing regattas through your own annual invitational event. What attracted you to propose Ocean Reef for a Worlds? What benefits does the club’s existing infrastructure bring to the event and which elements have you had to develop/bring in specially for the Worlds?

KG - Ocean Reef is a very special venue. Dick Jennings and I wanted to "make a mark" in hosting one of the best World Championships the US has ever had. Since the housing is inclusive in the Club, this Worlds venue will bring an unusual chance for more camaraderie within the fleet. There is a centrally located pool, beach, and social area that is conducive to participants socializing amongst themselves and their families. There is day-care facilities so the ground crew can have some R&R too! The Club is excellent in feeding large groups. I wouldn't eat a lot before coming to this event - you will make up for it throughout the week!! Since the Ocean Reef Club is not a yacht club - we had to bring in a top notch race committee who has been working very hard ensuring that we have the best yacht racing for this event. We want everyone to leave the event saying that this was the best racing and the most amount of fun we had! There is a lot of work still ahead, but we have a great group of people working on it. Look out for the notice of race to be out shortly!

FB - You have a very demanding career, you're a key member of the 05 Worlds organising committee and you've just taken on the USMCA Presidency. Where on earth do you get the energy from and what are your top tips for us lesser mortals on who to fit it all in?!

KG - The secret is to surround yourself with people who are smarter and better than you. That is exactly what I did with the Executive Committee. They are the real reason we have gotten so much accomplished in 4 months time. I just organize and delegate. The excitement of the Melges 24 Class makes it easy to be so passionate about this fleet. That keeps me going!