Corp Challenge Cup- capital gains for Shake-A-Leg

by Dana Paxton on 13 Jul 2005 A team comprised of executives from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP won Shake-A-Leg-Newport’s Wall Street Corporate Challenge Cup presented by Barclays Capital, held July 8-9 in Newport, R.I.

The 14th annual event hosted nine teams of business leaders for two unforgettable days of racing aboard the legendary America’s Cup 12 Meter yachts and raised over $300,000 to support Shake-A-Leg-Newport’s programs for people with spinal cord injuries and nervous system dysfunction.

Racing on Narragansett Bay in weather ranging from cold, pouring rain and light northerly wind to sunny skies and strong southwesterly wind, combined with the unique feeling of crewing on a 12 Meter, contributed to what one participant called ‘the experience of a lifetime.’ This is the oldest one-design sailing charity race in the U.S., raising over $2.5 million since its inception 14 years ago.

‘I am so happy to have won,’ said Ivan Mattei of TEAM DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON. ‘At no point during racing did I think that we’d win overall. This is a very competitive group of people participating. Even though we thought we were at a disadvantage on the last day because we were short crew, it didn’t hurt. It worked out well for us.’ They vowed to come back next year and defend their title.

Team Debevoise & Plimpton scored 269 points under the Barclay Scoring System. In second-place with 240 points was Proskauer Rose and Merrill Lynch finished third with 204 points.

Each 12-Meter had sailors from Shake-A-Leg-Newport’s adaptive sailing program joining the action alongside the corporate crew members who made up the bulk of the 14-person sailing crew. ‘Shake-A-Leg-Newport expresses our enormous gratitude to Gary Dunton of MBIA for his continued enthusiasm in attracting new sponsors to this 14-year-old event and without his support we couldn’t achieve what we do each year,’ said Robie Pierce (Newport, R.I.), the event founder and race director.

A long time supporter of Shake-A-Leg-Newport, Dunton is equally enthusiastic about what the organization does for disabled people. ‘Once you hear the story of how Shake-A-Leg-Newport changes lives by providing rehabilitation and programs to people to live independent, productive lives, it is obvious that what they do is phenomenal,’ said Dunton, president and chief executive officer of MBIA.

The event attracted the participation of well-known sailors Katie McDowell (Barrington, R.I.), a 2004 Olympian, and Keith Burhans (Irondequoit, N.Y.), a 2000 Paralympian, as well as Amy Brodsky (Boston, Mass.) a sailor who may not be well-known, but one who is equally passionate about sailing and raising money for programs such as Shake-A-Leg-Newport.

Brodsky was the highest bidder on an auction item last Fall in Boston for a crew position with Team Mellon (New York, N.Y./Boston, Mass.) during the Wall Street Corporate Challenge. ‘The crew spot was a coveted item that drew a lot of serious bidding,’ said Brodsky, who recently completed the Marion to Bermuda Race. ‘My Dad and I used to come to Newport to watch the 12 Meters racing in the America’s Cup, so I have very special memories of that time. I wanted to be able to give back and I’ve never been on a 12 Meter, so this seemed like the best way to do so.’ Richard Watson, Team Mellon’s captain representing Mellon Institutional Asset Management, received a phone call from Brodsky one week before the regatta and happily added her to the team’s plans.

On Friday, July 8, a gala reception and banquet took place the Hyatt Regency-Newport Hotel & Spa. America’s Cup veteran Bill Ficker (Newport Beach, Calif.) was this year’s honored guest and the evening’s keynote speaker. Ficker brought his grandson Tyler along to introduce him to 12-Meter racing aboard Intrepid, on which he won the 1970 America’s Cup over Australia.

‘I’m passionate about the sport of sailing,’ said Ficker to an audience of over 250 competitors, sponsors and friends of Shake-A-Leg. ‘Sailing transcends all income groups, gender, age and the camaraderie is wonderful. And if you are a good sailor you can go anywhere. I came here seven years ago and sailed at Shake-A-Leg. Everyone embraced me and it was wonderful. I was most impressed that Shake-A-Leg embraced our sport. I brought my grandson Tyler here so that he can see what sport is about.’

The prestigious Alofsin Award was presented to Jeff Long (Newport, R.I.) for his exceptional volunteer contributions to Shake-A-Leg-Newport.

Medals of Sailing Achievement were presented to Betsy Alison (Newport, R.I.), a five-time Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year and two-time Yngling world champion; Keith Burhans and Paul Callahan, 2000 Paralympic Silver Medallists; Robie Pierce, Russell Sergeant and Nick Brown, three-time national champions and International Federation of Disabled Sailors world champion; and Peter Benson and Matt Sullivan, two-time national champions.

Patrick Feehan (Middltown, R.I.), a participant in the Shake-A-Leg-Newport sailing program, was recognized for his inspiration to all sailors.

Race headquarters were located at the Newport Shipyard, with social activities taking place at the Hyatt Regency-Newport Hotel & Spa on Goat Island. Additional sponsors included Crystal Spring Water, Eastern Ice Co., McLaughlin & Moran, The Market on the Boulevard, Newport Shipyard, New York Yacht Club, O’Neill Properties, PDQ Printing, Sakonnet Vineyard, Signatures of Newport and other local businesses and individuals.

For more information about the Wall Street Corporate Challenge, visit www.wsccc.org or contact Robie Pierce at 401-846-5549 or robie19@cox.net.


About Shake-A-Leg-Newport

Shake-A-Leg-Newport is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the mission of which is to assist its participants to become all they can be in education, work place and quality-of-life pursuits. Shake-A-Leg-Newport utilizes the facilities of Salve Regina University and Fort Adams State Park for its adult and teen rehabilitation services, including the Confidence is Cool Camp for youngsters.

Shake-A-Leg Newport’s internationally recognized adaptive sailing program is located at Fort Adams State Park and provides recreational, instructional and competitive sailing opportunities for those who wish to build confidence.

To learn more about Shake-A-Leg-Newport visit www.shakealeg.org.

Results, final
Place, Team, Hometown, Points

1. Team Debevoise & Plimpton (New York, N.Y.), 269 Points

2. Proskauer Rose (New York, N.Y.) 240

3. Merrill Lynch 204.

4. Kbc Financial Products (New York, N.Y.) 204

5. Mellon (New York, N.Y./Boston, Mass.), 190

6. Bear Stearns (New York, N.Y.), 180

7. Mbia (Armonk, N.Y.), 171

8. Parker/Vectrix (Parker Hannifin, Cleveland, Ohio/Vectrix, Inc., Newport, R.I.), 161

9. Latham & Watkins/Wachovia (Wachovia Corporation, Charlotte, N.C./Latham & Watkins, New York, N.Y.), 81