The host of the event will be Emmy award-winning sailing commentator and lymphoma survivor Gary Jobson. He will make a 75-minute presentation and will autograph copies of his latest book, "Championship Sailing."
There will also be a raffle with prizes, such as one month of free moorage at the Elliott Bay Marina, a case of international wine and gifts from Yacht Care and Emerald Harbor Marine.
The annual kickoff party is the traditional bash put on to pump up the participating boaters and boat enthusiasts. Participating boaters are asked to recruit a crew and friends to raise money and gather sponsors for his or her boat.
The course starts in front of the Elliott Bay Marina Breakwater, to the grain elevators at Pier 86, to the Seattle Aquarium at Pier 59, then back to the west end of Elliott Bay Marina.
A separate portion of the race is devoted to power boaters who speed through the chop, making five stops in the Puget Sound. They call it the Poker Run, because at each stop, a captain picks up a playing card. After the last stop, the boater with the best poker hand wins.
"Primarly, people from our marina enter, but there are sailors from all over," said the Lynne Austin of Elliott Bay Marina administration and marketing. "It's beautiful to watch if you ever get a chance."
The Leukemia Cup Regatta takes place June 7. Marina staff and LCR officials are hoping the Seattle race raises $165,000 toward the prevention of leukemia, lymphoma and other blood cancers. There are about 50 regatta fund-raisers held throughout the country each year. Collectively, the Leukemia Cups have raised more than $21 million. Between 15,000 and 20,000 boats total compete each year.
After Seattle's race, all participants are invited to the post-party at Bell Harbor downtown, where TV meteorologist Jeff Renner will host live and silent auctions with prizes such as three free months of moorage at Elliott Bay Marina, artwork, sailing gear and trips. Last year, a prize was riding in one of the former America's Cup boats off the shore of Rhode Island.[[In-content Ad]]