Don Backe Memorial CRAB Regatta

P/C Peter Gordon

Annapolis Yacht Club hosted the Independence Cup – a national championship for disabled sailors in 1992. Past Commodore Ron Ward, former Race Committee Chair Chip Thayer, and veteran AYC Race Committee member Jack Lynch were instrumental in organizing the regatta. At that time the Club didn’t have floating docks for easy wheelchair access. Jack developed a ramp that allowed the competitors to slide into the boats. After the success of the event and working with Don Backe, the Don Backe Memorial CRAB Regatta was developed. AYC has a 27-year relationship with assisting disabled sailors with what is today the Don Backe Memorial CRAB Regatta. The CRAB website has a history of the regatta and the following is offered as background.

"Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB) started in 1991 as a non-profit providing the thrill, freedom and therapeutic value of sailing to those with disabilities, recovering warriors and youth from at-risk communities. The organization was founded by Don Backe who was paralyzed in his 50's from a car accident in 1989. He had been an avid sailor all of his life and his friends got him back into sailing to improve his spirits and to rekindle his love of sailing. Don took his enthusiasm for sailing and built an organization that could share the experience with many other people with disabilities, wounded warriors, and children from at-risk neighborhoods."

The weather conditions this past Saturday were excellent for the 27th CRAB Regatta with winds in the 5-15 knot range and higher gusts in the afternoon. Five races were completed in the harbor starting at the Clubhouse and going to drop marks near the end of the Naval Academy seawall and over to Horn Point. The sailors enjoyed the more challenging conditions and dealing with 50-degree wind shifts. The J/105 Fleet provided tacticians for each boat which has improved the competition, the sailors' boat handling skills, and insight on tactics.

Race Committee, L-R: Sandy Grosvenor (CRAB Board Member), Peter Gordon, Geoff Lampshire, Bill Yockey, Jack Lynch, Karen Yeigh, and Leigh Schlegel.

The Awards Party was held on the Second Deck of the Sailing Center which is a spectacular venue for sailors to congregate, relive the racing, and enjoy a buffet.

First place and winner of the CRAB Perpetual Trophy is Jay Streit and crew Paul Van Cleve and Amanda Salvesen.

Second Place, Kevin Detwiler and crew Maude Laurence and Allan Wilkins, Third Place, John Tarrant and crew Dan Pendergast and Scott Gitchell.

Carol Beatty, Secretary for Disabilities for the State of Maryland presented a proclamation recognizing June 2019 as Adaptive Boating Month in Maryland. The Don Backe Memorial CRAB perpetual trophy is displayed in the trophy case on the Second Deck of the Clubhouse.

Regatta Manager Linda Ambrose did a great job in coordinating logistics that require a change from our usual regattas due to the disabilities of the sailors. I am impressed with the passion Bo Bollinger and the CRAB board have to their Mission Statement, “[to] bring the thrill and freedom of sailing to people with disabilities, recovering warriors and local youth from at-risk neighborhoods.”

For more information please contact CRAB Executive Director, Paul “Bo” Bollinger:
Office: 410.266.5722
Mobile: 703.623.4097
Email: [email protected]