Bill grew up on Lake Minnetonka sailing with his parents and siblings both there and on Lake Calhoun. He started sailing at an early age and he has passed this legacy along to his own children. You can find him racing on Thursday nights at Wayzata Yacht Club on his J/24 Oz along with his high school buddy Rolf Turnquist. The two them were instrumental in founding the first J/24 fleet in Wayzata. Bill’s daughter Amanda routinely crews for him as does Rolf’s son, T. Cody. Sailing to Bill is a family affair. The Allens have dedicated their lives to furthering the sport of sailing in “Inland” country.

Accomplishments and Honors

• 2016 inducted into the ILYA Hall of Fame
• 2015, 1st, S2 7.9 Championships
• 7-time E Scow Inland Champion
• 6-time E Scow National Champion
• 1972, Olympic Gold Medal, Soling Class, as crew for Buddy Melges
• 1972, National Champion in the Finn Class
• Has won many MORC races in the Lake Michigan area
• Bill founded J/24 Fleet #1 on Lake Minnetonka. Bill and Rolf Turnquist (a friend of his from high school) still race their J24 today, every Thursday night at Wayzata Yacht Club.
• 1st, E Scow Blue Chip Regatta 10 times