Taking offshore racing to new heights

by Eliza Garry, US Sailing
In the world of offshore sailing, dedication often comes in many forms: some sailors spend decades perfecting their skills on the water, while others master the art of making racing better for everyone. Few people have managed to do both as effectively as Matthew Gallagher, whose recent appointment as Deputy Chairman of the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) underscores his commitment to the sport on a global scale.

Gallagher, a Chicago-based sailor, race organizer, and US Sailing Board Member, was named to the ORC Management Committee in Singapore, replacing the retiring Pepe Frers of Argentina. For Gallagher, this new role marks another step in his long journey of service to the sailing community—a journey that began not on the oceans, but on the freshwater lakes of the Midwest.

“Joining the great team at ORC is an amazing opportunity,” said Gallagher. “ORC’s strong growth in the United States over the past decade shows that our racers and race organizers think it fairly handicaps boats. I am very happy to be able to contribute to the ORC and bring an American voice to the organization.”

While Gallagher admits he wasn’t a lifelong sailor, his passion for the sport ignited in his early 20s on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin. What began as casual cruising on a friend’s Catalina 22 gradually evolved into a family affair. Alongside his wife, Emily, and their children Charlie and Maggie, Gallagher explored sailing on their Beneteau Oceanis 37 Endeavor before moving into the racing world with his J/70 Surprise, often with his son Charlie at the helm.

But where Gallagher truly shines is off the starting line. His prowess in race management and event organization has earned him respect across the sailing community. As a member of the Chicago Yacht Club, he’s chaired prestigious events like the Race to Mackinac and the 2017 Farr 40 World Championship. More recently, Gallagher led the charge as Chairman of the 2024 ORC World Championship at the New York Yacht Club—the first time the event had been held in the U.S. in nearly 25 years.

His appointment to the ORC is a natural extension of his work to promote fair and accessible racing. Gallagher has been a key figure in US Sailing, serving as a member of the Safety at Sea Committee, Chairman of the Offshore Committee, and currently as Secretary of the US Sailing Board of Directors. His leadership combines a deep understanding of race management, safety, and the needs of sailors.

Gallagher’s appointment has been met with enthusiasm by his peers, including Chris Tutmark, an influential figure in offshore racing and race management and US Sailing’s Head Measurer.

“Matt’s addition to the ORC Management Committee as Deputy Director will give US sailors an increased voice in ORC, helping to continue to improve ORC for all sailors,” said Tutmark. “His dedication and wealth of experience will be great asset to ORC.”

Along with Gallagher, the United States is represented at the ORC by three other leading offshore sailors from around the country – Ed Cesare, Ken Keefe and Steve Benjamin. “We have a deeply experienced team in the US delegation to the ORC,” said Gallagher. “Ed, Ken and Steve all are respected worldwide. We work together to ensure the needs of US offshore sailors are met.”

With Gallagher at the helm as Deputy Chairman, the ORC is poised to continue its mission of delivering fair and competitive racing to sailors worldwide. And while his journey may have started on a humble Catalina 22, Matthew Gallagher’s influence now stretches across oceans, helping ensure every sailor, no matter their boat, has an equal chance to win.