James “Sandy” Macvickar

Sandy grew up in Wardour (West Annapolis), was a junior sailor, instructor, and member at SSA in the early to mid-1960s. He died on July 29th, 1967 at the age of 23 aboard the USS Forrestal during the Vietnam War. Sandy had attended American University and Boston College. In 1968, a memorial was established in honor of Sandy, a former instructor and very active participant in club activities for several years, to be presented on the basis of sportsmanship and seamanship displayed during the Junior Regatta. At some point the annual junior regatta was renamed in his honor.

Below are comments from his family on the 50th anniversary of his death (2017):

Starting as a junior racer himself, he and his sister Bonnie continued sailing together for many years participating in regattas on the Severn River, and the Chesapeake Bay, sailing out of many sailing clubs on the eastern shore. The love of the wind and water made sailing a great passion for Sandy. He would sail at any opportunity. The annual "New Years' Day" race on the Severn River was a favorite race for him on board his beloved “Gannet". Severn Sailing Association is a club that Sandy took great pride in being a part of. He would be proud of all of you who have come to join in on this special regatta honoring him. If he were here today, he would say "Best of Luck, and have a great sail"