Sailing doesn’t get much better than the America’s Cup competition currently being waged in the waters off Auckland, New Zealand. After months of competition among several teams, New Zealand will begin defending the America’s Cup in mid-February, accompanied by lots of thrilling racing action and on-the-water excitement. A winner will be known by the end of February and the highlights of the racing action will have been captured on video to be shared with sailing fans and landlubbers alike.

At the forefront of the America’s Cup action again this year is Gary Jobson, a prominent author, racing sailor, and ESPN analyst. And,after covering the America’s Cup for ESPN, Gary will be coming to Tidewater. On Friday, March 21, Gary brings the America’s Cup campaign to life at The Mariners’ Museum where a kick-off party will be held for The 5th Annual Southern Chesapeake Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta season of events. Using pictures and video of the races, Gary’s presentation will recap the strategies and tactics of the competing racers, while helping everyone shake off the March chill and get warmed up for the upcoming sailing season.

In addition to the America’s Cup recap, the March 21 wine reception will include hors d’ oeuvres, Robert Mondavi wines and guided tours of the Mariners’ Museum popular nautical exhibits. Tickets are available at a cost of just $25.00, with the proceeds going toward this year’s Leukemia Cup Regatta fundraising goal of $150,000. The wine reception is sponsored by Fishing Bay Yacht Club, the Mariners’ Museum, Robert Mondavi, Catering by Jill, Inc. and the Virginia Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Come join us for a great time!

To purchase tickets or for additional information, please contact Sandy Thurston at (800) 766-0797 or (804) 627-0400 or e-mail: thurstons@va.leukemia-lymphoma.org

For more information about the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society or regatta, please visit regatta

The Southern Chesapeake Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta 2003 Calendar of Events

Friday, March 21 -The Leukemia Cup Regatta Wine Reception with Guest Speaker Gary Jobson The Mariner’s Museum, Newport News, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.– Kickoff party for the 2003 Regatta Season of events. Ticket: $25.00 per person-includes hors d’oeuvres, (2) tickets for beer or wine, opportunity to tour The Mariner’s Museum and a slide presentation by Gary Jobson, including exciting video from the 2003 America’s Cup. *Sponsored by: Fishing Bay Yacht Club, The Mariners’ Museum, Robert Mondavi, Catering by Jill, Inc. and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Saturday, May 3 -The Christchurch Leukemia Cup Junior Regatta Challenge Christchurch School, Christchurch, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.-No registration fee, Junior High and High School age children fundraise, sail and compete for trophies-goodie bags are given to each participant, food and refreshments. *Sponsored by: Christchurch School and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Saturday, May 10 -The Leukemia Cup Regatta Kayak Tour Urbanna Creek-Registration: $50 for tandem $35 for single, “Kayakers” of all ages paddle for fun and adventure, while raising money to fight leukemia- trophy is awarded to top fundraiser, food and refreshments provided. *Sponsored by: Bay Trail Outfitters and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Friday, June 20 -The Leukemia Cup Regatta Junior Sail-a-Thon Fishing Bay Yacht Club, Deltaville, 1:30 p.m.-3 p.m.-Children of all ages sail laps around a set course and compete for fundraising honors-goodie bags, refreshments and food are provided *Sponsored by: Fishing Bay Yacht Club and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Saturday, June 28 -1st Annual Leukemia Cup Regatta Powerboat Poker Run-”Power Boat Day on the South Bay” Deltaville, Indian Creek, Urbanna, Whelan’s Marina and Irvington, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.-$100 Registration fee, $25 per “crew” member, Victory ceremony at The Tides Inn-waterfront party with hors d’ oeuvres, beer and wine, prizes for the best poker hands and awards for the top fundraisers-goodie bags are given to the “skipper” of each boat. *Sponsored by: The Tides Inn and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12 5th Annual Southern Chesapeake Volvo Leukemia Cup Sailing Regatta presented by SunTrust,Deltaville-Registration: $100-Fundraising boat, $50-Sailing only, sailors fundraise and compete for prizes and trophies, goodie bags and tee shirts are given to all “skippers”. A fun weekend of sailing! Friday, July 11-Welcome Reception and Silent Auction,7 p.m. to 9 p.m., Fishing Bay Yacht Club Saturday, July 12-Skippers Breakfast and Registration 8 a.m.,CBYRA-sanctioned sailboat racing 11 a.m.,Gala and awards ceremony, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.,Stingray Harbor Marina. *Presented by: SunTrust Sponsored by: Stingray Harbor and Fishing Bay Yacht Club