The 17th Annual Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta held in Deltaville over the weekend of July 10-12 was another huge success with 61 registered yachts and enthusiastic crowds at the Auction and Gala held for the second consecutive year at the Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park.

Typically the Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta is one of the most successful Leukemia Cup Regattas in the country in spite of being one of the smallest of such national venues, and this year should prove to be no exception. Having four times been voted the Best Regatta on the Bay by the readers of Chesapeake Bay Magazine, the 2015 Regatta is expected to be a strong contender for this honor again this year.

All proceeds from Regatta events assist The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) in its mission: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Almost $2 million has been raised since the Regatta’s inception, and this year’s preliminary tally reveals $108,000 in cash raised with an additional $30,000 in in-kind sponsorships. This is another truly remarkable achievement for the Regatta and the Middlesex community.

Funds raised to support patients with blood cancers came not just from the generosity of sailors who competed on the racecourse but also from many local, regional, and national commercial sponsors, and countless individual community supporters. The LLS is especially grateful to the Captain level Sponsor, Bon Secours, and First Mate level Sponsor, Sun Trust Bank, as well as a host of other area sponsors, for helping to make this event such a success.

Individual fundraising was especially spirited this year. Three local individuals raised over $12,000 each qualifying them for a Fantasy Sail in Bermuda this fall with Gary Jobson: Diane Simon, Rob Whittet, and Robert DeJong. Since their fundraising will continue through the fall, the top fundraiser and recipient of the coveted Roy F. Meyer Perpetual Trophy will not be announced until our awards party in September.

The two-day racing was officiated under the auspices of the Fishing Bay Yacht Club by PROs Lud Kimbrough on the East Course, David Hinkle on the West Course, and John Wake on the new Fishing Bay Course, all supported by a host of on-the-water volunteers. On the water Judge and Protest Committee Chairman Brooks Zerkel was the nautical equivalent of the Maytag repairman since no protests were submitted over the two days of competitive racing.

Overall awards for the top boats in each division were presented on Sunday afternoon at the Deltaville Maritime Museum following the final race.

Complete results for the Regatta can be found online at http://www.yachtscoring.com/event_results_cumulative.cfm?eID=1349

Special mention must be made of Alan Bomar, a myeloma survivor serving his first year as Chairman of the Southern Chesapeake Leukemia Cup Regatta. He won his division in spectacular fashion underscoring his commitment to sailing as well as to the mission of the LLS.

The LLS once again was overwhelmed with the level of enthusiasm from the local community. In particular, the LLS expressed sincere appreciation to the co-sponsoring clubs, Fishing Bay and Stingray Harbour, and the Deltaville Maritime Museum for making it possible to stage such a memorable event. Special kudos were also extended to J&W Seafood of Deltaville and Joe Davenport of Stingray Harbour for their fantastic catered dinners on Friday and Saturday nights. And, of course, the popular auction and music & dancing courtesy of Jumbo Lump Daddy & the Backfin Boys on Saturday night highlighted the Gala enjoyed by all by all participants and guests.