On September 19, 2009 the Sailors "For Fun" Regatta was run for the 12th year on a great September day on Long Island Sound. Their was hardly a cloud in the sky and the temperature was in the lower 70's. It was a beautiful day. The wind was light and flukey. It blew 12kts and under, NW-N-SW-S. Every single boat raced a challenging regatta. Some of the wind lifts were as much as 90degrees, keeping all of the captains and crew on their toes.
All of the skippers knew that a twenty mile regatta on Long Island Sound can expose them to many different elements, even within the same regatta. Skippers and crew have sailed this regatta many times and have had different weather experiences in every regatta. We have had regattas with little or no wind and we have had regattas in 30kts of wind.
This year the regatta joined with Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Ct. The day after the regatta, Sunday September 20 The Connecticut Hospice held its "Annual Memorial Service". It was a time for reflection, education, poems, music and remembrance for those who have had the Hospice experience. Eight hundred people attended the event. Attendees signed the names of their loved ones on the "Memorial Sail" which will be displayed in Hospice. Attendees also placed a flower for their loved ones into a boat that distributed the flowers on Long Island Sound.
The Connecticut Hospice Clam Bake and Regatta awards function was held September 26th on the Hospice Grounds in Branford, Ct. Over 200 people attended the function. The day consisted of a delicious Lobster Bake with clam chowder, corn on the cob, baked potato, burgers, hotdogs, Italian ice and lobster. A silent auction was held with all of the items on display out on the veranda. A remote control regatta was held during the day. More than ten remote control boats participated. Sailors, dignitaries, volunteers and community members all contributed to a very successful Branford/Hospice Regatta Week. Everyone is looking forward to next years Branford/Hospice Regatta Week in September 2010.
