Pete Wallio’s PHRF A-Spinnaker class boat (left) was the overall winner in the Albemarle Hospice Regatta, Saturday
DailyAdvance.com
By CHIC RIEBEL, Sports Editor
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Already well-established on the local sailing scene after just two years, the Albemarle Hospice Regatta expanded to add a 5k foot race for its third annual fund-raiser and it proved to be an instant hit.
A total of 67 runners took part in the race in downtown Elizabeth City Saturday morning.
“We were amazed that we had that many runners,” said Sean Robey, the Albemarle Hospice Regatta Chairman. “We started doing it because there weren’t that many 5ks around here and it would fit well into the calendar.
“We’re all about people enjoying Elizabeth City and its recreation opportunities. We had a lot of positive comments from the participants and I’m looking forward to doing it again next year.”
Jim Moneymaker of Elizabeth City was the overall and men’s winner in a time of 21:17, beating runnerup Derek Dail of Southern Shores by 10 seconds. Mary Kauaihilo of Elizabeth City was the fastest female, running the course in 24:29.
The rest of the day was devoted to sailing. Pete Wallio of Hampton (Va.), competing in the PHRF A-Spinnaker class, came away as the overall winner and will represent the regatta at a national event.
Terry McKinney of Hertford, a member of the Pasquotank River Yacht Club, won the Archer Farmer Cup from the Albemarle Sound Sailing Association. It is awarded for the best showing by a racer from four area sailing clubs. McKinney was first in the PHRF B-Non-spinnaker class.
While it was a gorgeous day for the 42 boats entered in 10 classes, the competition wasn’t cut-throat. It was about sharing a love of sailing and growing the sport.
“Sailing is getting bigger around here and we want to help,” Robey said. “Not only do we have the veteran sailors on the big boats, we have a cruising class that is becoming much larger. We have folks who have larger boats here on the river but don’t race them because racing can be intimidating. This is a good venue for them to get out, race on the course with other racers and they have a good time because they know it’s a little more relaxed atmosphere.”
More than a dozen younger sailors also took part.
“Bringing out the youth is another important aspect of the regatta,” Robey said. “We have a small boat series that goes along with the big boats. We have them sailing little Bics and Prams, which are small beginner boats, to the Sunfish, Lasers and 420s.
“A lot of summer camps take place around sailing. The Pasquotank River Yacht Club with Carol Terryberry has been very instrumental in holding a sailing camp in mid-July and that camp provides a wonderful feeder to the race. Kids work really hard in the camp and they get a chance to show off their skills in the regatta.”
Competition, fund-raising and fun aside, the bottom line for the regatta is making people more aware of hospice care.
“The whole purpose of the regatta is to get the word out about hospice, to let people know what hospice means and what hospice does,” Robey said. “Certainly, there’s a fund-raising aspect to this, but that’s not the primary focus. Last year we raised around $11,000 and were able to give back about $5,500 or $6,000. I don’t have numbers yet for this year, but I think it will be similar.
“While donations were a little less in total donations, we had a lot broader scope of donations.”
The donations included sponsoring trophy series and the 5K and ads in the program book.
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