Sailing in Marin: Novato’s Ivey receives Kevin Burnham Memorial Award

A love for sailing is one of those things that can catch you almost unaware. For most of us who sail it was probably that first time you pushed off a dock with just the wind and water carrying you to a new adventure, like Mark Ivey’s experience learning to sail Sabots in Huntington Harbor when he was seven years old, sparking his passion for sailing that is still on fire 39 years later.

“Those days were pretty special, the first times you throw the dock lines away,” Ivey, 45, a professional sailor, smiled. “You don’t have a motor and it’s all about the sail, you get to control your own route. It’s a release from everything on land and something that captures sailors.”

Ivey’s list of successes as a competitor and as a coach is long and impressive; it includes distinction as four-time All-American Sailor of the Year (St Mary’s College, Maryland, where he is also honored in the school’s Hall of Fame), college and world championships in multiple classes, and as a coach taking Olympic teams to gold success.

In recognition of his contribution to the sport he loves dearly and is wholeheartedly committed to, Ivey was recently honored with the Kevin Burnham Memorial Award at the 2022 US Sailing Association Awards, presented to a sailor who embodies the spirit of the late Olympic Gold and Silver medalist Kevin Burnham: passion, persistence, perseverance, sportsmanship on and off the water, and love of the sport and love of his or her competitors.

“Kevin was a fierce competitor and a legend in the 470, determined beyond belief, so talented, this tall skinny man who could make a boat go beautifully and fly a spinnaker like no one else and trapeze off the side of the boat in any wind strength,” Ivey reminisced with deep emotion. “At the same time, you were okay to lose to him because he raised the bar so high. I try to do the same thing; on the water I want to be the absolute best I can, I commit myself to every detail and push as hard as I can; it is what I’ve done over my whole career.”

The award may just be a career pinnacle for Ivey, who resides with his wife Heather (formerly Martinelli who hails from a six-generation Marin family), and their two kids Dylan (almost five) and Kelsey (3 1/2 years) in Novato.

“There are a lot of individual things I’ve accomplished but this award is not about one thing like a year of great sailing, it’s about being recognized as a highly contributing member to others, helping people do well on and off the water and treating people well,” Ivey commented. “That’s what Kevin did, and that’s why there’s such great momentum behind people celebrating this award. It’s a validation of the friendships and community that I’ve had all over this world just as Kevin had – a lifetime of investing in the right thing. I feel very grateful.”

A career highlight for Ivey was the experience of an Olympic campaign; qualifying for the Olympics as a coach, being in the Olympic Village and watching his team cross the finish and win gold after coming from behind. He had been asked to coach the Swedish Star class team of Freddy Loof and Max Salminen for the London Games in 2012.

“It was really a peak of all peaks as a coach,” he said. “The world’s best sailors turned out including Iain Percy (UK) and Robert Scheidt (BRA) as well as gold medalists from other fleets like the Finn, the Laser and the 470 who graduated into the Star class – the grand-daddy of all the classes,” Ivey enthused. “We won gold and that was massive – it was the highest level you could ever get to.”

Since then, Ivey has continued to coach and sail at the highest of levels and this summer he’ll reach his 50th world championship event sailing the Etchells Worlds in April, followed by the Melges 24 Worlds in June in Denmark. He cites the Melges 24 as among his favorite boats to sail, having sailed 14 world championships in the boat.

“I love the dynamics of the Melges 24, and the reward for excellent crew work,” Ivey smiled. “It is designed and balanced well, it loves downwind and waves, and the chemistry of the five people together on that boat is a special thing.”

Humble and easy-going, known for his nurturing style of coaching and often referred to as “Mother Hen,” Ivey acknowledges that in sailing, particularly high-level racing, there can be a lot of rough bravado and tough guys.

“You need a humble touch and work hard on the small things through an event, whether it’s driving out of the parking lot and making sure we don’t hit a car, to making sure everybody has their gear when we leave in the morning, to the highest levels of trying to win on a Sunday when you have points and a team that you have to beat.”

John Kostecki, a world-class sailor who was the first to win an Olympic medal, Volvo Ocean Race and America’s Cup, has known Ivey for more than 20 years during which time the pair have collaborated on sailing projects.

“I was very fortunate to have been good friends with Kevin Burnham (KB),” said Kostecki, who resides in San Anselmo. “Kevin was one of the most positive people in the sailing world. When I heard that Mark had won the Kevin Burnham Memorial award, I was stoked! Mark was a huge Kevin fan and would use KB stories to help encourage/uplift you all the time — it really reflected on how Mark conducted himself in the boat park or out on the water.”

For Ivey, these days it’s not only game-on at work but also at home with two young kids.

“I was totally unaware of what it was going to be like to be a dad, the responsibilities and the changes that would happen to everything,” Ivey noted with a smile. “It’s been a complicated balance of travel and home-life but when I’m home, I’m full-on and completely involved in everything related to raising the kids. I’m incredibly fortunate to have Heather who is committed to being a stay-at-home mom which has allowed me to continue pursuing my dreams and work, she is amazing!”

For this well-rounded coach and sailor, after events he delights in returning to Marin to be back with his family and to recharge in a place he is thrilled to call home so that he can head back out into the sailing universe prepared to give his best.

“It’s not an easy lifestyle for darn sure and when I leave for an event my heart is sad,” Ivey said, “but when I come home across the Golden Gate Bridge my heart is excited to be home again with my family in a place we love so much.”