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Being intentional about diversity

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  Passing the Mac Bridge-From Left: Martin Sandoval, Lou Sandoval, Caroline Sandoval As a 20 year veteran of the marine industry and past commodore of Chicago Yacht Club, Lou Sandoval is a treasured cheerleader for everything boating, with his views enriched by his Hispanic heritage and #girldad status. Sandoval comments on the topic of diversity in sailing: I can say that where there have been some progress, there are still many barriers. Over a beverage some time, I am happy to share how it took the greater part of six years on the dealer advisory council to one of the largest global marine manufacturers to just create marketing collateral that depicted women at the helm. Because, you know – it is her boat too. Traditional roles have depicted women sunning themselves in the cockpit, the bow or down below. This was all for a manufacturer who was lead by a female CEO (great granddaughter of the founder) and extremely sound business leader. It’s not just sailing, it is the power industr
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ALL in the Family… 9th Mackinac Win with a Twist

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  Background: There are many clichés for sibling rivalry and family sailing programs that come to mind when you learn about two brothers racing on different boats.   The funniest one that comes to mind is “the family that sails together, stays together”.   Rather than go too far that road, we’d like to focus on one unique pair of brothers that tried something a bit different this year.  Brothers Martin Sandoval (owner of a CPA firm) and Lou Sandoval (Marine industry executive) have sailed the last 18 consecutive Races to Mackinac on one of their owned or chartered boats.   Due to heavy business demands, 2018 was the first year that they elected to sail on different boats.   2018 was Lou's 19th Mac- He raced on SV EAGLE, a Sydney 38 which raced in Section Five -ended up winning their section and placing 20th overall (1st boat under 40' to finish this year's grueling race) in the Mackinac Cup Division.   Younger brother Martin - raced aboard SV TANGO IN BLUE in section 3-
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Lessons in Life from Sailing-A Different Game Plan

By Lou Sandoval -
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A Welcome Sight for Mac Racers Go North- This much is certain. Four days and counting.  The agenda is the same- Sleepless night, Wx routing and forecast review, talk about the game plan, boat work.  Where is the transition zone?  What's left on the list? Who is taking what up to the island?  You rue talking about the weather this far out because it will change at least four more times by race day. It may be windy, it may not...  Been there , done that countless times before.  For the first time in fifteen years, its a new team, new capabilities and new possibilities.  Like a new pair of shoes- you worry about blisters- but you know that once you get used to them you will be able to cover some miles.  Adjusting to a new team holds the same promise.  A new beginning and new possibilities no looking back.  You can't cling to what was- only what will come and be ready to adjust.    Going North with certainty- that much is certain.  ----- KARMA-GRAM will b
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KARMA-GRAM- USA 51746 (SV Taipan)

By Lou Sandoval -
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S/V Taipan 1998 Farr 40 1D MH The work has begun on the burnishing of the bottom on S/V Taipan (aka: KARMA-GRAM) our charter for the 2017 Race to Mackinac.  Warren Levins (formerly Program) and Karma USA 55367 owner's Martin and Lou Sandoval will be chartering the boat from owner Lloyd Karzen.  Levin's, a former owner of many boats named "Program" (C&C 39, Farr 40, First 36.7) is excited to participate in the Mac with the Karma Team.    Signalling a new page in the Karma History books, Karma-Gram is a compilation of both programs.  They will be building a competitive team that addresses the three key components that make the Mac worthwile- FAST, SAFE and FUN. Stay tuned. 
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Lessons in Life from Sailing- There are many ways forward.

By Lou Sandoval -
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Karma Sailing Group: From the left- Martin Sandoval, Lou Sandoval Karma Sailing Group Finishes 2016 Season-Signals indicate a change for the future November 10, 2016 The Karma Sailing Group crossed the 108th Race to Mackinac in 41:35:26 finishing third place in the 36.7 section and 12th overall in the Mackinac Trophy division.  As the gun went off to cross the finish line, only a few members knew that is the last time they might sail the historic race as a team as a plan to break the team up had already begun.   Fast forward to the recent Race to Mackinac Awards ceremony at Chicago Yacht Club - Remaining owners Martin Sandoval and Lou Sandoval attended the  Awards ceremony as the two remaining owners of the prodigious race program that garnered an unprecedented 12 podium finishes since campaigning the 36.7 program in the Race to Mackinac and a record setting eight 1st place finishes in 14 years.   The conspicuous absence of the team that had stood shoulder to shoulder in
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Karma Finishes in 1st -Verve Cup Distance Race

By Lou Sandoval -
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Karma Finishes 1st in Verve Cup Distance Race August 16, 2016 A shifty Saturday of racing turned out well for the short-handed crew of Karma.    It is typical for crews to be light after the Mac race break and it was no different for Karma.  Fielding a six person crew with a 14 year old and a 10 year old on board was probably a good call as it allowed the team to be agile on her bottom. The win was the first for 14 year old Caroline Sandoval and 10 year old Sofia Sandoval.  Both have been active participants in Chicago Yacht Club's sailing school.
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108th Race to Mackinac-3rd Place and Goat Status for a Member of the Karma Team

By Lou Sandoval -
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108th Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac Recap July 28, 2016 What do straw hats, breakfast veggie smoothies a stuffed goat named 'Tina' and horse manure have to do with a boat race?   A lot... this year ,as Team Karma embarked on their sixteenth journey from Chicago to Mackinac Island.  Much has changed with Karma in her sixteen years of being a racing program, boat changes, ownership changes- but one thing has remained consistent- the core of 'friends' that get together each year to do the annual trek up the rhumbline in Lake Michigan.   2016 was particularly significant because it was the first year that two of the Karma Owners- Jack Buoscio and Lou Sandoval were no longer representing Beneteau on Lake Michigan.  A fleet that Jack and Lou had put a ton of sweat equity into having grown it from 0 boats to the over 38 boats we sold over the life span of the design (2001-2011) with another 11 boats sold on the resale market.   The ownership of the boat had al
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