VIDEO: Get Well Soon, Christopher

One of the country’s top young sailors, Chris Williford (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) is battling Leukemia (ALL) and currently receiving treatment at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Chris’s home club at the Lauderdale Yacht Club is organizing and hosting the Chris Williford Second Wind Regatta on May 5, 2013 as a fundraiser.

All proceeds from the regatta will benefit the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (“COTA”) in honor of Chris to assist with transplant-related expenses and related lifelong aftercare expenses. It is not necessary for the competitors to attend the event. Each virtual competitor will be racing virtually with a local live competitor. The format allows people all over to participate in the cause. Sailors will race in the Optimist, Club 420, Laser, Laser Radial, Laser 4.7, and Mercury.

The Chris Williford Second Wind Regatta is just part of the Team Chris Second Wind day. There is a Team Chris Second Wind Tennis Tournament, a Team Chris Second Wind Raffle, and more.

Chris is a former member of the US Sailing Development Team member in 2011. In 2012, Chris was part of the SAISA (South Atlantic High School Sailing) District Team Racing Championships. He was third at the U.S. Youth Sailing Championships in the 29er division in 2011. He won the Optimist North American Team Race Championship in 2010. He won the Opti North Americans in 2010 and 2009. He was Opti National Champion in 2008.

Published on Jun 7, 2013.