"Children helping Children" was the underlying theme in the conception and launching of Port Washington Yacht Club's first Optimist regatta to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.

Held on Saturday, July 7, the day was met with pristine skies and wind that steadily grew throughout the day. After a skipper's meeting on shore, 37 Optimist sailors ranging in age from 9 to 14, and representing six yacht clubs around Long Island, cast off from the junior dock around 11 a.m. Brisk wind allowed the completion of two races before lunch was delivered on the water. Because of growing wind conditions, the green fleet (the youngest competitors) subsequently returned to shore, but the red, blue and white fleets completed a third race before heading in.

The theme of "Children helping Children" was an accurate one on many levels. The idea for holding the regatta was introduced to the Port Washington Yacht Club board by one of its junior members, Caitlin Abruzzo. An enthusiastic sailor who saw the possibility of combining a favorite sport with a good cause, she petitioned the club to hold the regatta; she then got fellow sailors to pitch in. Along with Caitlin, Erin Mulderrig, Alex Kassl, Patrick Shea, Louis Nees, Matt Capoziello, Susan Cosgrove, Morgan Cotter, John Keneally, John Magovern, Maggie Magovern and Christine Kitt sold chances, registered sailors, rigged boats, counted lunches and assisted in the awards program.

The theme was taken a step further through the sailors themselves. Along with the regatta fee which included a gift to Make-A-Wish, each sailor had the opportunity to collect pledges for the event. PWYC led the way with entries and pledges. The top prize, a Sony Playstation II, was earned by PWYC's Warren Trunz, who collected $850 in donations for the event. Second place went to PWYC's Will MacIntosh, who received a sound system for his efforts ($225 in pledges), and third place was awarded to Danielle Powers, a Knickerbocker sailor, who took home a Sony Discman after collecting $90 from family and friends.

There was plenty of help on and off the shore from Port Washington Yacht Club members, board and staff, all who cheerfully assisted in making the day a special one for our junior sailors. They donated prizes, bought chances, did safety inspections, delivered lunch on the water, and formed the race committee. The regatta netted $4,328 for Make-A-Wish.

Race results:

The following clubs sent sailors: Port Washington Yacht Club (PWYC), Manhasset Bay Yacht Club (MBYC), Douglaston Yacht Club (DYC), Sea Cliff Yacht Club (SCYC), Knickerbocker Yacht Club (KNYC), Southampton Yacht Club (SHYC).

Green Fleet

1st - Danielle Powers (KNYC), 2nd - Ty Adams (MBYC), 3rd - Kristin Dougherty (SCYC), 4th - Daniel Landa (DYC).

White Fleet

1st - Will Himler (MBYC), 2nd - Jake Oliveri (SHYC), 3rd - Matt Wefer (SCYC), 4th - Caroline Casey French (DYC).

Blue Fleet

1st - Tedd Himler (MBYC), 2nd - Adam Specrenbach (SHYC), 3rd - Mark Dougherty (SCYC), 4th - Alec Basilion (SCYC).

Red Fleet

1st - Matt Cornachio (MBYC), 2nd - James O'Hanlon (MBYC), 3rd - Lianna Gordon (PWYC).

Two bowls were awarded for exemplary sportsmanship:

Jimmy Cook (PWYC) and James O'Hanlon (MBYC).