2010
The 2011
Leukemia Cup Regatta
at Bay Point
is scheduled for May 20th - May 21st, 2011.
Mark your calendars!
SECOND ANNUAL LEUKEMIA CUP REGATTA RAISES OVER $55,000
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PANAMA CITY, FL (May 22, 2010) – A record 18 boats signed up for the second annual Leukemia Cup Regatta at Bay Point on Saturday, May 22nd. For the second straight year the charity event raised over $55,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Racing just offshore from Schooner’s, the windward leeward course was designed to gain maximum exposure for the participants and spectators. Featuring turn buoys to the north and south, viewers along the beach got a taste of the excitement as vessels passed close to shore. Calm seas and light winds set the stage for a close contest on a sunny Saturday afternoon. Crews leapt to action at the start of the race as the boats jockeyed for position, each vying for the perfect line. Sailboats seesawed back and forth, seeking an elusive wind and a leg up on the competition. In the end, John Guy aboard Hot Toddy took home top honors in the Spinnaker division, and Rives Allen won first place in the Non-Spinnaker division on board Zephyr. Although the regatta awards prizes to the fastest boats, the ultimate prize is given to the team that raises the most money. Participants solicited donations from friends, family and local businesses in a fundraising competition to win the coveted Leukemia Cup. Event organizers also seek out corporate sponsors and those funds are added to the overall total. Top honors this year went to Fair Trades, a 50 foot Beneteau owned by Michael Plitman. “Michael’s team raised a combined total of over $22,000” said Steve Arndt, Marina Director at Bay Point Marina. “The crew of Fair Trades did a phenomenal job raising donations. $22,000 is a truly amazing amount.” Plitman, a Panama City resident, was also this year’s Regatta Chairman. He participated in the inaugural event in 2009, and jumped at the chance to chair this years Regatta. “We had a lot of fun with the event last year,” said Plitman, “And I was both honored and excited when they asked me to be Chairman. Being able to bring the Leukemia Cup back to Panama City is a dream come true.” Last year’s winner was Larry Grill on board Anseo. Grill, a Birmingham, Alabama resident was on hand to defend his title this year, and congratulated Plitman after the event. The Leukemia Cup Regatta is a series of events held throughout the country. Since its inception, the sailing community has raised millions of dollars to support the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through this event. In 2009, more than 8,400 sailors from around the country combined a passion for sailing with an equal passion to fight cancer, raising more than $3.8 million to help cure blood cancers. The event was co-hosted by the St Andrews Bay Yacht Club and the Bay Point Yacht Club. For more information contact Steve Arndt at Bay Point Marina at (850) 235-6911 or visit the web site www.lcrbp.com. About The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS's mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since the first funding in 1954, LLS has awarded more than $680 million in research funding. For more information about blood cancer, visit www.LLS.org or call the LLS Information Resource Center (IRC), a call center staffed by master's level social workers, nurses and health educators who provide information, support and resources to patients and their families and caregivers. IRC information specialists are available at (800) 955-4572. ### |
click for photos  
For Immediate Release
Contact: Steve Arndt Bay Point Marina 3824 Hatteras Lane Panama City, FL 32408 850.628.1740 steve@coastalmarinamgt.com www.lcrbp.com www.leukemiacup.org |
