by Mary White
This years 6th Annual Leukemia Cup Fundraiser held on June 2nd and 3rd at Shilshole was graced with beautiful blue skies and warm temperatures. At the end of the day, the event raised $55,000 for the Leukemia Society. More than twice as many boats were in attendance than last year, making this the largest Leukemia Cup at CYC. The Leukemia Cup is a nationally recognized Regatta, started by Sailing Celebrity Gary Jobson. The Leukemia Cup has become an event that yacht clubs all over the country host, raising funds to find a cure for cancer. National Sponsors Volvo, Mount Gay Rum, and west Marine are some of the big company names supporting the regatta.
Locally, the Leukemia Cup has become a competitive event and celebration of Northwest Sailors in support and recognition of the struggles patients face battling Leukemia. Sailors come and enjoy the camaraderie and competition of this sailing fundraising event from near and far. Friday evening festivities were kicked off at the clubhouse where many boats and crew came to put their corporate sponsor signs on their sails and the club house walls. "The Boss" went hog wild and put so many signs on their sails that it was hard to see the sail fabric once they were done. They did a fantastic job securing corporate sponsors, as well as arranging the radio spots on KJR FM
Saturdays shore side activities started off early with a continental breakfast hosted by Tullys Coffee and Great Harvest breads. Excitement was in the air as everyone realized that they would be sailing in long awaited sunshine and warm temperatures. It was hard to tell which was more exciting, the prospect of winning a race, or winning the fundraising awards. The funds were adding up, as more people marched in all morning with more money raised. It was inspiring to see crew Mark Callahan, from "Flash Gordon II" come in with a personal check for $5000, securing 2nd place for highest fundraising, then to see a certain skipper who wishes to remain un- named, (from a well know boat) announce humbly that he would match the amount that his crew raised with a personal check. This generosity was enough to put a lump in your throat and bring tears to anyone’s eyes. Many boats raised large sums of money. "Charisma" won the highest fundraising award as they have several years in a row, and again this year they won the complete respect and admiration of fellow sailors for a display of utter generosity and good will in their fundraising efforts. Paul Garner and "Bad Dog Food" followed in 3rd for fundraising. while Jeff and Marcia Carson on "Nonsense" proved formidable competition in the cruiser fleet for both fundraising and racing. They sold spots on their boat to individuals for $250 a piece raising $4,215 dollars.
While boats were racing, the spectator boat "Outlaw" hosted guests who had donated money to have a spot on the boat, and took them out to the racecourse to observe races.
Fun was being had by all while we awaited the tally for the fundraising awards ceremony; the clubhouse was buzzing with noise and laughter…. until it was time for little Alexander Barr to say hello to all the sailors. Alexander is a young Leukemia patient who has been winning the battle, one day at a time. Alexander stood on a chair, and the clubhouse became so silent you could hear a pin drop. Alexander had prepared a small speech for everyone, that was simple and to the point, he said " I just want to say, fighting Leukemia is a struggle, and I want to thank all of you, and I hope you had a good time!" He was then asked to sing his favorite song for the second year in a row, "The Streets of Laredo". He courageously stood in front of a teary eyed crowd, took a deep breath along with a gulp, and confidently sang his favorite song. There were few dry eyes in the house, as everyone remembered what they were really sailing for. A standing ovation and cheers went to the biggest winner in the club, little Alexander Barr who was beating Leukemia with help from local sailors.
If Charisma had left anyone wondering how generous they really are, shortly after the announcement of fundraising awards, Dick Robbins of "Charisma" came to the podium and announced he honestly had little need for the prize he had won, and offered to auction it to the highest bidder with all proceeds to go to the Leukemia Society. A 50% off coupon for Banks Sails worth approximately $1250, was auctioned to the highest bidder for 600$.
After a day of sailing and sunburns, the racers adjourned to the clubhouse for a buffet dinner catered by Ravishing Radish and libations donated by Red Hook Brewery and Mount Gay Rum.
As if the day had not been exciting enough, after the awards live music rocked the clubhouse and sailors and their families danced the night away to the sounds of Gene Mitchell the "Caribbean Cowboy".
Three races were squeezed in for PHRF and Multihull, classes and a special distance course was setup for the cruising class. A variety of classes persisted despite the predominantly light breeze and strong tides.
Class P1, Shadow and Trillium traded off wins, both Multihiulls tied dead even. Class P2 saw the Ultralight and speedy "Flash Gordon" take first by one point to "Snake Oil", with "White Cloud" close behind in third. P3 battled tough competition, which appears to have been "Tianna Carissa" all day. P4 was won by a slim margin by "Wyewacket", putting "Nikita" in second. in a class of Olsons and Melges. In P5 Second Shot kicked sand in our faces all day. The controversial and fiercely competitive P6 saw Of Course dominate the class, with Marionette and Bridget close in 2nd and 3rd. The cruiser class was owned by "Nonsense" with no shortage of talent aboard.
Many thanks to those at CYC, Leslie Keller, Dan Carpenter, Joe James, all whose unwavering devotion to racing make this the best sailing club in town. The race committee, volunteers, spectator boat, protest committee chair Ed Von Wolfersdorf, corporate sponsors and all the sailors. We are already gearing up for next year!