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The Stamford Yacht Club will again host the annual Buzzards Society dinner Saturday, March 12, honoring the adventurous men and women who have sailed in the Vineyard Race 10 or more times. The Vineyard Race is one of the most prestigious distance races on the East Coast sailing calendar and is held every Labor Day weekend by the Stamford Yacht Club.
Fourteen new members will be inducted into the Buzzards Society at the third annual dinner, joining the current membership of 127. The list reads like a Who's Who of Sailing, including several of Stamford's past commodores. The veteran of this group is Ed Gaynor, who has participated in 42 Vineyard Races.
This year's group includes many prominent sailors, including Gary Jobson of America's Cup and ESPN fame and Peter Levinson (25 Vineyard Races; Stamford), Bill Mack (20 races; Darien), Rives Potts (20 races; Westbrook), Rene Coudert (18 races; New Canaan), Steve Frank (16 races; Darien), James Keeshan (15 races; North Kingstown, R.I.), Tom Castiglione (12 races; Rowayton), Dave Gurney (12 races; Stamford), Rich Nugent (12 races; Stamford), John Brim (10 races) and Steve Minninger (10 races; Stamford).
The highlight of the evening of fellowship is hearing the accounts from the new inductees of their most memorable Vineyard Race. Last year, a couple told of meeting on the weather rail during the race and going on to marry and continue racing together.
This year's 77th running of the Vineyard Race will start Sept. 2 off Stamford. Nearly 100 boats are expected to compete in the final race of the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy series.
For more information on the Buzzards Society and the Vineyard Race visit its website.
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