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Record Fundraiser Held at New York Yacht Club

Over 340 people attended the Golden Spinnaker Gala, a fundraising event for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing teams at the New York Yacht Club’s 44th Street clubhouse on November 14. Over $200,000 was raised - the highest amount ever raised by a special event for the teams.

NYYC Commodore Chuck Townsend, paralympian Nick Scandone, St. Francis YC Commodore Ray Lotto Guy Gurney

The visit to New York was a three-pronged effort. On Tuesday, November 13, the teams traveled to the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY, to bring an afternoon of fun to a room full of sick children. Surrounded by a huge fish tank and other kid-like marvels, the children had a ball getting to know the team, having their picture taken with some of them, and in general, just hanging out with “sailing heroes.” Star sailor Austin Sperry said, “This is such a great place. If I could give up going to the Olympics to make these kids better, I would do that in a heartbeat.”

On the afternoon of the 14th, more than 30 junior sailors had the opportunity to meet with their heroes and get to learn firsthand what it takes to run an Olympic campaign. Young sailors from around the Sound attended, including a group from Long Island Sound Optimist Training (LISOT), some of whom may well be future Olympians themselves.

Olympic flag, signed by members of US Olympic and Paralympic Teams, held by 2008 Olympic Team members Sarah Mergenthaler, Nancy Rios and Stuart McNay Guy Gurney

The main event was the Golden Spinnaker Gala itself. After cocktails, an exciting program was hosted by Gary Jobson, a Board member at New York Yacht Club and US SAILING. Prize-winning videos were sandwiched around remarks by New York Yacht Club Commodore Charles Townsend, Event Co- Chair Bill Sandberg and US SAILING Executive Director and past NYYC Commodore Charlie Leighton. After a Q & A with the teams, US SAILING Olympic Chairman Dean Brenner presented the club with a token of the teams’ appreciation.

Live and silent auction items included weeklong charters in the Caribbean, Super Bowl tickets and a John Mecray print of Courageous, signed by the original crew - one of only three in the world.

To say the least, the events were an overwhelming success and included generous donations by club members as well as Rolex and Feadship, dinner sponsors: Dry Creek Vineyards, wine sponsors: Nautica, table gift sponsor: Vanguard and Sperry, sponsors of the junior event and hospital visit; and other sponsors including The Boat Locker (Westport, CT), Velocity Club (Greenwich, CT), the New York Jets, Bitter End Yacht Club (Virgin Gorda, BVI), Atlantis Weathergear (Marblehead, MA), Gabriel Lopez-Morton (High Pt, NC), Castello delle Regine (San Liberato, Italy), Atwood Realty (Block Island, RI), Atlantic Stars Collection and Seascopes (Newport, RI), and Sail Newport (Newport, RI).

U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Sailing Teams visit Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital Gordon Tunison/WMC