The top fundraisers for 2008.
A slideshow of last year's regatta
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(Photo: commiteee members Rey Neville, Boulder YC, Bonnie DiMercurio, Tradewinds YC, Stacey Zerban, Carlyle YC and Rick Bernstein, Carlyle Sailing Association).
How We Got Started
The regatta started in 2001 when Stacey Zerban of Carlyle Yacht Club at West Access Marina was approached by the St. Louis Chapter
of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Realizing the magnitude of the event’s potential, Stacey contacted Rick Bernstein, then Commodore
of Carlyle Sailing Association, regarding hosting the new event since CSA had the largest venue and Rick had experience in coordinating
large events. Together, with the help of many volunteers, the two were the driving force behind launching the first Leukemia Cup Regatta
on Carlyle Lake.
The first event in ’01 saw 84 boats participate and raised over $40,000; quickly the regatta gained regional and national attention.
The reason for this is the organizing committees work at finding local and regional sponsors to help fund the event. Soon joining the
committee from Trade Winds Yacht Club at the north end of the lake were Bonnie DiMercurio plus Rey Neville from Boulder Yacht Club.
The regatta immediately became a cooperative lake wide event, something never before done, attracting participants from all 4 sailing
clubs as well as sailors from around the country
The Regatta Has Won Support Throughtout the Carlyle Lake Community
Locally, sailors such as Doug Draper, Rex Carr, Bob & Agnes Levin and Phil & Inga Holland, soon became big sponsors of the event. Joining the regatta regionally was Pepsi and Mount Gay Rum. These sponsors covered expenses for the regatta such as beverages, trophies and welcome bags full of sponsor materials for all participants. This enabled the event to spend virtually no money on expenses, thus enabling the regatta to take in fund raising dollars in which 90 percent went directly to the LLS. It’s this ratio of income to expense that has set this event well above the other 42 regattas nationwide. How far have we come? To date, 8 events later, the Leukemia Cup Regatta has raised over $350,000 and close to 500 sailboats and 2,000 sailors have participated. Our organizing committee continues to grow, local and regional interest continues to grow, and the 4 sailing clubs on Carlyle Lake are gearing up for another great event this coming Memorial Day Weekend.
