Cure Cancer Cup raises $20,000 for Cedars-Sinai Research Lab

REDONDO BEACH — King Harbor Yacht Club hosted the 27th annual Cure Cancer Cup in Redondo Beach on July 14, with 15 sailboats, ranging from 17 feet to 44 feet, including high-performance catamarans, all sailed together in an ‘inverted start pursuit’ race. Teams raced to raise money for Cedars-Sinai Research Lab and to win the Tom Collier Memorial Trophy. Tom Collier passed away due to cancer, at age 31. His fellow sailors determined that they would establish this regatta in his honor, to support research to cure this devastating disease.

The regatta reportedly raised $20,000 for Cedars-Sinai Research Lab; more than $650,000 has been raised for cancer research since the regatta’s inception. All proceeds directly benefit research at a lab named for the sailing event.

Inverted start pursuit races, which feature a wide mix of boat types, have the slowest boats start first, and the fastest boats start last – the first to the finish line wins! The fastest boat started one hour after the slowest boat, and after 10 miles of racing, all of the boats arrived at the finish line within 20 minutes of each other.

The entire course could be viewed from the upper deck of the King Harbor YC clubhouse. The spectators were treated to an exciting finish as, on the last leg, the smallest boat, a 17-foot catamaran, passed the largest boat, an XP-44 sloop, winning by only 27 seconds. There was also a 50-foot spectator yacht available, to enjoy libations while getting an up close view of the racing action.

The after-party included hors d’oeuvres, tacos, brawts, rum tasting, and live band. Silent auctions, an opportunity drawing, spirited live auction and the award presentations highlighted the festivities. The perpetual trophy is a dolphin sculpture by Wyland.

Corporate sponsors included Maurice Lacroix timepieces, Blue Pacific Yachts, and the Comedy and Magic Club. Numerous local businesses contributed to the event, including Travel Page.

Next year’s regatta is set for Saturday, July 13, 2019.

Results

1stPlace – Steve Fechner – Nacra

2nd Place – Jeffrey Coyle – DistraXion

3rd Place – Fred & Suzanne Cottrell – Tigger

4th Place – Richard Benner – Smilemaker

5th Place – Marty Burke – Bella Vitta

6th Place – Al Castillon & Brian Folkman – Hot Rum

Cal 20 1st Place – Ray McVey – Wave Dancer

Photo Credits – Brian Lavis, Marty Falk, Greg Vavrek