The 2021 Mayor’s Cup Charity Regatta & Soirée took place on Saturday, September 18 on the Great South Bay followed immediately by what is quickly becoming an annual favorite celebration at the Long Island Yacht Club benefiting local environmental non-profit Save The Great South Bay.
One of the largest sailboat races on the Great South Bay, the Mayor’s Cup is organized by the Great South Bay Yacht Racing Association in association with the South Bay Cruising Club. Returning Race Committee Chair John Davis oversaw the 7.8 nautical mile course which proved a tough battle for the skippers and their crews. The light and variable winds, that changed direction multiple times throughout the race, made for very difficult conditions to keep the boats sailing.
Mayor’s Cup: A Multi-Class Regatta
Captain Rick Latorre and his crew aboard Dark Star won line honors and came in first place in the Spinnaker Division. Eric Winberry and crew aboard Aleboat came in second place. The Non Spinning Division was won by a great sailing performance by Gary Sebouhian and his crew aboard S/V Pandemonium. Second place boat was Merry Ann and crew followed by Ed Anderson’s boat At Last.
The Cruising Division was won by Chris Demmarco who sailed single handedly and was the only boat in his division to complete the race in such light wind. The Multi hull boats were sailing all over the racecourse looking for wind and was won by Kim Schaefer and his crew on the Trimaran Trillium. Their competition was close behind aboard the Trimaran Getting There. There were a total of 15 boats racing in the four classes.
The action was beautifully captured by Mike Busch of Great South Bay Images and Rich Labella of RJ Labella Photography and is available to view at www.greatsouthbay.org.
View the full event photo gallery here.
Then The Celebration…. The Soirée
Directly following the Regatta and set to a stunning background with views to the Robert Moses Bridge, this year’s celebration was presented by York Analytical Laboratories at the Long Island Yacht Club. Celebrants were treated to live music by the ever-popular No Request Band along with tasty seafood delights served up by Bill and Maureen Zeller of Captree Clam.
We are thrilled to once again support this dedicated and action-oriented organization. – Michael Beckerich, CEO, York Analytical Laboratories
Under beautiful blue skies, Chuck Westfall of Thatch Island Oysters shucked hundreds of fresh Great South Bay oysters and guests dined on tasty treats from Coastal Kitchen, Mary Carroll’s, Ristorante Gemelli, Village Meat Market and Southside Fish and Clam. As they raised funds to support the organization’s three core programs, guests enjoyed an exclusive tasting of beautifully aged armagnacs and cognac with local importer Larry Reiter of Columbus Wine and Spirits. Others had their fortunes told by the Collective Consciousness of Oakdale.
The Yacht Club’s grounds were decorated with a wide selection of native trees, bushes and plants donated by Long Island Natives. The plants were repurposed to build a native garden in Amityville’s Nautical Park after the event.
View the full event photo gallery here.
Remembering the Past, Celebrating the Present
The 2021 Mayor’s Cup Charity Regatta was dedicated in memory of former Babylon Village Mayor Ralph A. Scordino who sadly passed away in October 2020. Mayor Scordino was a longtime supporter of the Mayor’s Cup Charity Regatta and an avid supporter of Save The Great South Bay, 501(c)3. Current Babylon Village Mayor Mary Adams spoke of her predecessor’s love of the Bay and commitment to the environment.
Congratulations to grand prize winner Jay Price who won the 9’ 6” Paddleboard donated by Karen Marvin of South Shore Paddle Board.
Save The Great South Bay is grateful to event supporters Blue Point Brewing and the Lessing’s Hospitality Group along with South Shore Paddle Boards and Spadefoot Design and Construction.
Support The Movement
If you missed this year’s celebration, you can still help. Go to www.savethegreatsouthbay.org to learn more about their programs and donate to support their work.
About Save The Great South Bay
Save The Great South Bay Inc. is a South Shore-based 501(c)3 environmental non-profit dedicated to the revitalization of The Great South Bay. We are over 17,500+ members and growing, including past and present, baymen, fishermen, boaters, paddleboarders, surfers, sailors, environmentalists, civic associations, schools, marine scientists, all working together to protect and preserve the Bay for future generations to enjoy. Our collaborative multi-prong approach spans the 16 South Shore towns and villages, from Massapequa to Mastic focusing on creek maintenance, native habitat restoration, shellfish restoration and advocacy.