April 22: Sail across Sarasota Bay for a good cause
Mote Marine Laboratory and the Bird Key Yacht Club have joined forces to present The Sarasota Bay Cup: The Mote Marine Laboratory Regatta, the longest running sailing regatta held annually on Sarasota Bay, which will take place Saturday, April 22, 2017.
The regatta will be sailed by as many as 100 boats and will generate funds for Mote, a nonprofit that leads marine research vital to unlocking potential solutions to some of today’s most daunting global challenges.
- To register, visit www.birdkeyyc.com and click on “Register for Regatta.”
“Our goal is to expand the appeal and exposure of sailing to a much wider community and become a centerpiece event for Sarasota,” said Bill Jacobs, Chairman of the event.
Race spectators will be able see some of the action from Ken Thompson Park (1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236). There is ample space for viewing, picnicking, restrooms and parking. Bird Key Park located west of the Ringling Bridge will also have a good view of the junior sailing fleet.
"Mote is honored to be named the first-ever charitable partner of this classic event," said Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote President & CEO. "We are pleased to participate in an event where everyone in our community has the opportunity to take advantage of our beautiful Bay, where Mote scientists conduct world-class marine research every day. Mote is thankful to Bird Key Yacht Club for their partnership and philanthropic investment in support of our mission through the historical Sarasota Bay Cup.”
Prizes will be awarded to the top boats in each class, depending on entries. The Sarasota Bay Cup Perpetual Trophy will be awarded to the best performing boat as determined by the Race Committee.
Award presentations following the races will be held at two locations: The adult competitors will be awarded trophies at the Bird Key Yacht Club. The junior sailors will have a special awards banquet at Mote.
Fees
For adults the entry fee for all boats is $50. Entries include one regatta Polo style shirt and one ticket for the Saturday dinner. Additional dinner tickets and shirts are available for $20 each.
For Sarasota Youth Sailing the entry fee for all boats is $25. Entries include one regatta T-shirt and one ticket for the Saturday dinner. Additional dinner tickets and shirts are available for $15 each.
Schedule
Adults
Friday, April 21
3 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Registration
6 p.m. – 7 p.m.: Party at BKYC Poolside and Sun Deck; complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beer
Saturday, April 22
8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Complimentary coffee and pastries at BKYC dockside
11:40 a.m.: Starting signal for first (slowest-rated) boat on Random-leg course. Only boats rating higher than 270 will start before noon.
Noon: First warning signal for Windward-leeward course
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Buffet, cocktails and awards presentation
Sarasota Youth Sailing
Friday, April 21
10 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Registration
Saturday April 22
10:30 a.m. Skippers’ meeting
11:10 a.m. First warning signal
5:30 p.m.: Buffet and awards presentation at Mote’s Marine Mammal Research and Rehabilitation Center (1703 Ken Thompson Parkway)
The presenting sponsor, Wilde Jaguar-Land Rover of Sarasota made the Regatta possible with additional support from Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift, Morgan Stanley/Susan Wilson, Suntrust, Lynne Koy, Bud Light, Visit Sarasota, Freedom Boat Club, Always Home Property Management, Executive Search Partners and HullSpeed Productions.