Cash is King: Cure Cancer Cup Sailboat Regatta Raises $28,000 for its Research Lab

Thirty-five (35) sailboats, ranging from 15 feet to 40 feet, all sailed together in a ‘pursuit race’, competing for the Tom Collier Memorial Trophy. Tom Collier passed away due to cancer, at age 31. Impressively, he continued to sail competitively throughout his treatments. His fellow sailors established this regatta in his honor, to support research to cure the disease.

This was the 33rd annual sailing of the event, hosted by King Harbor Yacht Club. Since its inception, this regatta has raised over $850,000 for cancer research. The proceeds all go directly to research activities at a lab at Cedars-Sinai, which has now been named after the event.

In such a ‘pursuit race’, with a wide range of sailboat types, the slowest boats start first, and the fastest boats start last – the first boat to the finish line wins! The fastest boat started just over an hour after the slowest boat, and after 10 miles of racing, the lead boats were tightly packed, sometimes within 3 to 4 seconds of each other!

The entire course could be viewed from the upper deck of the KHYC clubhouse, where the spectators were treated to a final downwind leg, aimed straight at the clubhouse windows, with the boats flying their large colorful ‘spinnakers’.

The awards party included appetizers, a taco bar, and live music. The festivities were highlighted by an opportunity drawing, a silent auction, a spirited live auction and, of course, the trophy awards. Local businesses and individuals generously contributed auction items. including fine wines & liqueurs, international time-shares, and great sports game packages.

1st Cruiser - _Soul Shine_ - Scott Haisman - Copy.jpg

1st Female - _Aloha_ - Carolyn Ziel - Copy.jpg

1st Junior - _Gaucho_ - Palmer Mays - Copy.jpg

1st Multihull - _Nacra 17_ - Steve Fechner - Copy.jpg

1st Overall - _Pressure_ - Roger 0'Connor - Copy.jpg

1st PHRF A - _Tigger_ Derick Prelle - Copy.jpg

1st PSSA - _Sam_ - Jerome Sammarcelli - Copy.jpg

2nd Cal 20 - _Wave Dancer_ - Ray McVey - Copy.jpg

2nd Overall - _Many K_ - Jim Haskell - Copy.jpg

3rd Overall - _Hot Rum_ - Parlette_Walden - Copy.jpg

4th Overall - _Miss Behavin_ - Tom Priest - Copy.jpg

5th Overall - _Deja Vu_ - Burr Hope (1st Cal 20).jpg

The perpetual trophy is a beautiful dolphin sculpture by the artist Wyland, which was awarded to KHYC Coach Roger O’Connor and crew Alexa Cavalieri, aboard his new Melges 15, “Pressure”.

Photo Credits: On the water: Kevin Cody / Awards: Greg Vavrek

Results

1st Roger O’Connor ‘Pressure’

2nd Jim Haskell ‘Mandy K’

3rd Parlette/Walden ‘Hot Rum’

4th Tom Priest ‘Miss Behavin’

5th Burr Hope (1st Cal20) ‘Déjà Vu’

1st PHRF A Derick Prelle ‘Tigger’

2nd Cal 20 Ray McVey ‘Wave Dancer’

1st Cruiser Scott Haisman ‘Soul Shine’

1st PSSA Jerome Sammarcelli ‘Sam’

1st Multihull Steve Fechner ‘Nacra 17’