The 15th Annual CRAB Cup - A Great Success!

Annapolis, MD - Over 500 of CRAB friends and supporters came to the Eastport Yacht Club on Saturday, August 21st expecting a great time and to show their support for CRAB. They were not disappointed. With The Naptown Brass Band marching into the parking lot, horns and drums blaring, they assumed a position on the deck to rousing applause. Everyone knew they were at the right place to celebrate and enjoy the company of friends old and new.

EYC Commodore Liz Filter ensured that everyone felt like a member and got to experience the incomparable service and beautiful location to the fullest. The 44 sponsors were a record and CRAB expresses their fullest appreciation to Engel & Volkers the Title Sponsor for the second year in a row. Rick Foster from E&V welcomed the crowd and encouraged everyone to keep supporting CRAB. Long time major sponsor Volvo Cars Annapolis was represented by Michelle Eichorn and her friends. Thanks to Erin Minner of Dream Yacht Charter for the exciting Grenadines cruise. Many thanks to friends at Mount Gay and Red Stripe for the delicious drinks, shirts and hats that make it all special. Kudos to SpinSheet & PropTalk, Gohn, Hankey & Berlage LLP, Beneteau, and Hinckley Yachts. See all of the sponsors and their logos online here.

The EYC Race Committee did a remarkable job orchestrating the start of the pursuit race on a Bay experiencing light winds and a strong current. More than 80 boats were on the starting line at various times. Congratulations to all of the class winners and to Incommunicado an Omega 36 with skippers Ed Tracy and Tim Polk who finished first in the overall pursuit race. They were closely followed by Walt Pletcher on his Viper 640 Deep State; and, Nicholas Iliff, Jr. sailing Muskrat a J-105 modified. Dick Franyo, owner, Boatyard Bar & Grill announced the winners and kept the ceremony moving on schedule which is not easy given so many classes of boats. On the water photography was generously provided by our longtime supporter Will Keyworth.

This year featured a Poker Pursuit with power boats traveling to landmarks on the Bay and submitting a photograph in return for a playing card. In the inaugural year of this new event we hosted a dozen boats. CRAB looks forward to doubling that number next year thanks to the very favorable response from skippers and crew.

The Skippers Challenge continues a record of success with over $76,865 raised and still more coming in. Kudos and warmest appreciation to the 25 teams raising funds this year. The Top 5 Fundraising Teams were: 

  • 1st. - Beth Rossman - Beth’s Broad Reach for CRAB $12,300 
  • 2nd - Paul Van Cleve/Tim McGee - NADS for CRAB $7,650
  • 3rd - Jonathan Adams - Emma’s Pirates $7,080
  • 4th - David Hankey - Give a Hoot for CRAB $6,825 
  • 5th - Matt Schaaf - CRAB Virtual Volunteers Team - $4,725.

The live auction raised $12,000 and every winner bid over the retail value of the package. CRAB thanks the winning bidders for their generous support. Joe Gormley did a fantastic job of getting the most from the audience in a fast-paced and humorous style of auctioneering. The silent auction raised $2,300 and the raffle over $1,500.

Joining the CRAB Cup this year were Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot who said he wants to make CRAB a national resource for adaptive sailing and boating. Senator Sarah Elfreth calling the new Adaptive Boating Center a testament to a team approach by the state, county, and city. AACO Executive Steuart Pittman recognized CRAB for putting meaning behind the county’s slogan, “AACO best for everyone.” Mayor Gavin Buckley received a thunderous applause for saying that he was going to get a building permit to CRAB on Monday for the Adaptive Boating Center.

CRAB wishes to thank everyone for their generous support and safe participation in The CRAB Cup and look forward to seeing everyone again in 2022 on the water and at the best party in town!

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