Annually supporting disabled sailing
Published on June 2nd, 2024
The 15th annual Robie Pierce Regatta ran from May 30 to June 2 at the American Yacht Club in Rye, NY. The 2024 edition, co-hosted by the Larchmont Yacht Club, had 17 boats hit the starting line for the Robie Pierce One-Design Regatta (the Open) and four boats raced in the Women’s Invitational. Both events use provided Ideal 18s.
It was skipper Eric Rose (Bennington, VT) along with crew Dalina Delfing (NY, NY) and able-bodied sailor Richard Jaffe (NY, NY) who won the 3-day Robie Open with three bullets in seven races. Dawn Hart (Tampa, FL) sailing with Lin Wei-Lee (Mt. Vernon, NY) as crew and Meg Leary (Rye, NY) as able-bodied won the Robie Pierce Women’s Invitational.
“The Robie started as a smaller event, not knowing exactly how it was going to develop,” said Event co-chair Ed ‘Buttons’ Padin. “What’s happened is it has become a major annual regatta in the adaptive sailing community and one of the few, if not the only, that blends both physical and neurological disabled sailors with blind sailors. We’ve become a family that keeps growing and that has enhanced the awareness of disabilities and outreach sensitivities of both clubs.”
Eric Rose added, “When I sailed last year, I immediately knew I would come back because the two Clubs do such a great job at running this regatta. To win first place in my second year here is pretty exciting. I don’t win too many regattas, but I enter a lot of them! This whole event is run so smoothly — the American Yacht Club and Larchmont Yacht Club are both magnificent places to sail and it’s just an honor for us to come here and race.”
PRO Rich Hulit noted how it was a privilege to be part of this regatta and watch all these sailors come out. “Their commitment to sailing and their dedication is inspiring — they’re strapped into the boats, many of them can’t move around or can’t see, and they’re out there sailing,” observed Hulit.
Next year’s event will be hosted at Larchmont Yacht Club from May 29-June 1, 2025.
Event details – Open results – Women’s results
Source: Robie Pierce Regatta