Lake Beulah - Internationally Recognized Sailing Program
Submitted by Beth Lanham
The NBC Olympics announcer reported: Stephanie Roble is from “a little lake in Wisconsin”! Well… that lake is Lake Beulah! Stephanie started sailing lessons at the Lake Beulah Yacht Club sailing school when she was 5 years old, honing her skills on a variety of sailboats.
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Roble and her sailing partner Maggie Shea sailed a 49er FX! They finished 10th overall and were the only American women in the top 20 to advance to the medal round.
Stephanie and Maggie (of Wilmette, Illinois) competed against each other in various boats for fifteen years before teaming up in 2016 to pursue their Olympic dream. Sailing the 49erFX, they finished 11th place at the Tokyo games in 2021.
The 49erFX made its first appearance at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and was developed to be a women’s Olympic class boat. The 49er name comes from its hull length of 4.99 meters. It is a smaller rig designed to suit the weight of female sailors. Both sailors use a trapeze while fully extended over the water to balance against the sails.
Stephanie has received many honors, including the prestigious Rolex Yachtswoman Of The Year award in 2014, the highest award in American sailing.
Many Lake Beulah sailors have achieved greatness while in high school, college and at regattas. Annie Haeger, also from Lake Beulah Sailing School, represented the USA in the medal round, in the 2016 Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro.
The Lake Beulah Sailing School has a long history of inspiring sailors of all ages. In the mid 1950’s, Jim Brown (Brown’s Point) shared his enthusiasm and expertise with Cub boat skippers and crews. In 1972, the Lake Beulah Sailing School was formed as a separate entity from the Yacht Club, under the guidance of Glenn Wegener of Camp Charles Allis, an avid sailor who first realized his passion as part of the Camp’s own Yacht Club.
The Lake Beulah Sailing School aims to give students an appreciation for the joy of sailing, for both leisure and competitive activity. Students develop a high degree of competence in the handling and maintenance of equipment, sportsmanship and teamwork. Lessons, at various skill levels from novice to experienced sailors, are offered to the community, for children and adults of all ages.
Congratulations Stephanie Roble, Lake Beulah’s latest Olympic sailor. Who’s next?
Check the Lake Beulah Sailing School website for additional sailing information and honors.
www.LBSS.us
Additional Links:
https://www.ussailing.org/athletic-team/team-roble-shea/
https://paris2024.sailing.org/