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STAMFORD, Conn. New Canaan's Diane McKeever made it her mission to increase the number of vessels in the Stamford Yacht Club's Vineyard Race.
She has achieved her objective with 93 boats registered for the race, which begins Friday in Stamford. Crews from Stamford, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Greenwich, Westport, Southport, Wilton, Fairfield, Bedford and Mamaroneck will be among the contestants. Four years ago, just 52 boats registered for the race. With McKeever at the helm, participation has increased by nearly 100 percent.
"The number of new boats this year is great,'' she said. "We're reaching new people all the time."
Besides reaching out to new crews, McKeever also seeks out former participants. "It's amazing what that personal touch will do,'' she said. "People are flattered that we know they are missing. Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow them to return. We make note of that, too."
The marquee race in the event is a 238-mile trek from Shippan Point to Buzzards Bay in Massachusetts and back. There is also a 142-mile Seaflower race and the 116-mile Cornfield Point race. McKeever records best elapsed times and best recorded times for each race.
The Vineyard has been shortened each of the past two years, the only times that has occurred. In 2009, there was not enough wind. Last year, Hurricane Earl blew into town that Friday and delayed the start to Saturday and the finish was Sunday. But the weather forecast is favorable this year. "Last year worked out OK, but it was a very rough race,'' McKeever said.
Among the boats this year is Aurora, owned by Bedford's Gus Carlson. The boat changed its name from Blue Yankee, when Stamford's Bob and Farley Towne owned it. The Townes will be sailing another boat named Blue Yankee in the race. The Merchant Marine Academy is also competing, as is a vintage boat, the Whitehawk.
Fans and family members can follow the race through Facebook, Twitter and Kattack, a race-monitoring site. More information is also available on the Stamford Yacht Club website.
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