Mote announces sailing regatta
Dr. Michael Crosby, President & CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Charles S. Wilson, Commodore of 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 expanded regatta will be sailed by over 100 boats of many sizes and will generate charitable funds for Mote, a nonprofit that leads marine research vital to unlocking potential solutions to some of today’s most daunting global challenges. The sport of sailing, by its very nature, is environmentally sustainable.
To register for The Sarasota Bay Cup, visit www.birdkeyyc.com then click on Register for Regatta, which will take you to the Regatta home page.
“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 much of the action from Ken Thompson Park, located at 1700 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236. There is ample space for viewing, picnicking, restrooms and parking. Organizers are also working on providing several opportunities for limited viewing from the water on spectator boats.
"Mote is honored to be named the first-ever charitable partner of this classic event," Crosby said. "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.”
Awards presentations on Saturday evening 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.
The presenting sponsor Wilde Automotive Family makes The Sarasota Bay cup: The Mote Marine Laboratory Regatta possible with support from Duncan Seawall, Dock & Boat Lift, Morgan Stanley, Suntrust, Lynne Koy, Bud Light, Visit Sarasota, Freedom Boat Club, Always Home Property Management, Executive Search and Hull Speed Productions.