Charity regatta a success on and off the water

Christine Lasser took over as executive director of theHospice Cup charity regatta in January.

Two months later, the coronavirus crisis shut downMaryland and made Lasser’s job extremely difficult. With sailboat racing on hold and large-scale social activities banned, the two key elements of the Hospice Cupwere suddenly unavailable.

Lasser was undeterred, and her leadership proved crucial as organizers made a massive pivot to ensure Hospice Cup XXXIX stayed on course.

Fortunately, the regatta itself was scheduled for Sept. 19 — far enough in the future for the Hospice Cup Board of Directors to remain committed to on-water racing. Numerous other traditional elements of Hospice Cup had to be adjusted.

Hospice Cup XXXIX normally would have opened with the annual Artist Selection reception at the Circle Gallery. That eventwas canceled, replacedwithan online display and voting.

Also the post-regatta awards party — held inrecent years atBert JabinYachtYard — was scrapped since it was unclear whether large-scale social gatherings would be allowed come mid-September.

That potentially could have been devastating since corporate sponsors receive significant recognition during the shore party, which usually attracts a crowd of almost 500.

Another perk for sponsors and other major donors was lost when Hospice Cup organizers chose not to use the charter boat Catherine Marie as an entertainment and spectating venue.

Underpinning all decisions made by Lasser and the board was the knowledge corporate and private donations would be greatly reduced due to the economic hardships caused by the pandemic.

Executive director is the one paid position within the Hospice Cup organization. Lasser volunteered to forgo her compensation — a gesture that “shows her character, selflessness and personal commitment to the cause,” Hospice Cup board member Cedric Lewis said.

Lasser, who has been involved with the organization for eight years, was creative in finding new and different revenue streams. InMarch, she spearheaded an update of the Hospice Cup website — basically rebranding Hospice Cup and improving its online presence.

Hospice Cup developed a new line of merchandise that was promoted on the website, while the annual art auction was conducted online.

Hospice Cup partners with Eastport Kitchen to put together to-go lunchboxes for all racing participants. For $40, sailors received lunch and a “tech” T-shirt from Stout Gear.

Eastport Kitchen is owned by Tony and CeliaMoynagh, whoactively race aPearson Flyer named Elvis. Stout Gear is owned by Lorie Stout, a longtime local Snipe sailor.

It was Stout who suggested adding the Snipe class toHospice Cup, which proved a win-win for both parties. Snipe sailors have been eager to support the three charity regattas in Annapolis and they stepped up when allowed to do so with 16 entries for Hospice Cup XXXIX.

Renowned Annapolis-based photographer Jay Fleming lent his talents to the regatta. Fleming made sure to take onwater action shots of every entry with boat owners able to purchase a print signed by the photographer. Fleming donated 50% of his sales toHospice Cup.

Organizers also came up with the idea of having podium finishers pick up their awards at Forward Brewing in Eastport. Place-winners had their photos taken on a red carpet with theHospice Cup logo in the background. Owners Cam and Claire Bowdren, also avid sailors, donated a portion of their food and drink sales from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday to the charity.

“Wehadto be very creative anddevelop a lot of different elements to make up for the one large thing that was main source of income,” said Lasser, referring to the awards party. “In a year when itwould have been easy to cancel, we held a regatta and were successful doing so.”

Lasser said some of the innovative initiatives used this year may remain in place for the 40th anniversaryHospice Cup in 2021.

Hospice Cup XXXIX had 22 more entries than the 2019 edition and sailor fundraising increased fromlast year. Lasser, who has agreed to remain as executive director for another year, is considering adding a junior regatta in 2021.

“Hospice helped my father toward the end, so it’s a cause I’m very passionate about,” she said.

While donations and other revenue is still being tallied, organizers say Hospice Cup XXXIX has raised more than $50,000. Those funds will benefit Montgomery Hospice and Capital Caring. This year’s theme was grief counseling, a critical resource for family members that is not always covered by insurance.

“Wewould not have been successful this year without the incredible efforts of Christine,” saidLewis, coordinatorof racing activities forHospice Cup.

“She is a very energetic, very innovative person. Christine has a very upbeat personality, which was infectious and motivated the entire board.”

Saturday delivered ideal conditions for racing with northerly winds of 18 to 20 knots greeting the fleet of 81 boats on three separate circles. Sailing Club of the Chesapeake oversaw the harbor course (Harbor 20s, Snipes) along with the pursuit start course with Drew Mutch and Geoff Wadsworth serving as principal race officers. Storm Trysail Club managed the third circle with DickNeville as PRO.

Mirage, whichis co-ownedbyLewis, was the big winner of this year’s regatta. Lewis called tactics and co-owner Fredrik Salvesen steered as Mirage got the gun in two of three races to top the 10-boat J/105 class.

Mirage received the Sajak Family Foundation Trophy for best performance in cruising one-design division and earned the Hospice Cup Trophy for consistent success over three consecutive years.

Mirage, which won J/105 class last year and placed second in the previous Hospice Cup, was also presented with the Geri ManningMemorialTrophy as top fundraiser. Every member of the crew contributed as Team Mirage solicited almost $5,000 worth of donations.

Aah Breeze, a Beneteau 331 owned by Robert Marino, was awarded the Donnybrook Brendan Trophy for having the highest percentage of crewunder the age of 18.

Therewere six youngsters ranging in age from 6 to 14 aboard Aah Breeze, which finished fourth in theTrue Cruiser division.