About us

About Us

The StFYC Intl Yacht Racing Foundation (501(c)3) focused on helping the non-professional and non-Olympic class sailboat racer. Over the years, the cost to put on one design amateur regattas has skyrocketed. We offer a vehicle for tax deductible giving towards the actual expenses of putting on the regatta. So, sailors and other interested parties can “donate” and help make the regatta happen. Recent success stories are the 2023 Women’s World Match Racing Casa Vela Cup, the 2023 Morgan Cup out of New York Yacht Club and the 2024 International Knarr Championship in San Francisco. In each of these events donors helped defray many of the costs associated with putting on the regattas and got a tax deduction for it! We are currently fundraising for several regattas and will have more information as our partnerships with these regattas gets solidified.

The IYRF BoD Team

Sophia's Sole

Secretary & Marketing Events

Sophia is an accomplished Financial Analyst, Entrepreneur, former captain of Stanford University Women’s Varsity Sailing Team, Sailing Coach and recognized Intl Yacht Racer. Loves coaching youth, match racing and creating kiln pottery!

Sean Svendsen

BoD Treasurer

Sean is a 40 year veteran of the Maritime Industry, founder/owner of Svendsen’s Boatworks and Svendsen’s Marine and former co-owner/General Manager of Grand Marina, LLC. Former Commodore of St. Francis Yacht Club. World Class Sailboat Racer and Event Mngr for SailGP

Nataly Whitaker

Marketing/Promotion

Nataly was born and raised in Hamburg, Germany and started sailing when she was 5 years old. Wind in her hair and water on her face make her feel free and happy. She just recently bought a Knarr boat with her husband Bradford and is excited to sail in the fleet. In her professional life she wore many hats from Hospitality & Events to Fundraising,Relocation and Government Services. In all those years her main focus has always been her family and raising two very successful children.

Risley Sams

BoD Event Support

Risley is the founder and CEO of RHS Financial Services, an Independent Bay Area Wealth Management Firm specializing in helping tech professionals build wealth. He enjoys yacht racing, golf, playing with his dog Ozzy and living a nautical lifestyle with his wife Christine. Risley is the former Admiral and Secretary of the Knarr Fleet.

Mark Dahm

Chairman

Mark is a 40year veteran of sales, business development and product management in High Technology for leading Silicon Valley companies. A former Air Force Officer, lifetime mariner, international regatta chairman and competitor in multiple one-design sailing classes

Mike Peterson

Nautical Advisor

An avid San Francisco Bay sailor / racer for 35 years, Mike is a strong advocate of amateur sail racing, and amateur development. Mike got into sailing as a teenager, supported through Sea Scouts and Junior Sailing, both of which were sponsored through charitable contributions. Mike has a business background in finance, and has served on several boards of non-profit organizations.

BOD Members

Betsy Weiler

Legal

Betsy Weiler is a corporate tax attorney for Zoom Communications, Inc., and during her free time, Betsy enjoys racing sailboats - J/22s, J/105s, J/88s, Melges 32 and any other boat with fun friends on board. Additionally, Betsy has been an active member at StFYC, serving on various committees, including Executive Race Committee, Wine Committee, and Bylaws, Rules & Regulations Committee. She also has served as an appointed officer on the StFYC Board of Directors.

How does one make a donation to the StFYC Intl’ Yacht Racing Foundation?

Checks (DAF) can be written to “StFYC Intl’ Yacht Racing Foundation” and mailed to:
StFYC Intl Yacht Racing Foundation
PO Box 475638
San Francisco, CA 94147