CJ Regatta brings young sailors from across country for national team racing

On land they’re a friendly bunch of young people. Many, like Quinn Keenan, have traveled from distant places to be in Rhode Island.

But put them in a boat on the bay and these devoted sailors are out to see their team win. Keenan is from Chicago and is part of the crew on a 420 sailboat. This is his first visit to the state and on Monday morning, like 149 young sailors from New England, the Eastern Seaboard, California, Texas, the Virgin Islands and Nantucket, he would be competing in the 15th annual CJ Buckley Regatta.

Started by in memory of CJ, who was a fierce competitor at the Greenwich Bay Sailing Association and Tabor Academy, the regatta was evolved into the Club 420 Association’s National Junior Team Race Championship. Team racing with three boats on a team was a favorite for CJ, who was diagnosed with brain cancer two days after winning a regatta and two weeks before his 16th birthday. He lost his battle to cancer 16 months later.

But CJ’s memory and his motto, “sailing is life – the rest is just details,” lives on and, based on this year’s turnout, is stronger than ever.

CJ’s father, Bart, welcomed the sailors into the Carousel at Goddard Park Monday morning. Some of the two-person boats were already rigged and waiting on the beach while a forest of masts extended from the parking lot. He noted how the event continues to honor CJ’s courage, spirit and determination, noting that team racing is unique.

“His passion,” he said of his son, “was team racing – the challenge, the strategy, the excitement – like a game of chess on the water.”

He went on to say, “The mission of the regatta has always been to provide a memorable learning experience for the competitors. It is much more than about winning. The essential features are seamanship, leadership and camaraderie.”

The races are short with each team of three boats seeking to place better than their competitors, although individually they not be first over the finish line.

Planning and executing the regatta has, likewise, been a team effort. From the beginning 15 years ago, brothers Justin and Kyle Assad, friends of CJ, have taken leadership roles. Justin, who lives in New Hampshire and Kyle, who now makes his home in Columbus, Ohio, took the stage to outline activities for the two-day regatta.

Lending a big assist to the effort was the 12-member staff of the Joe Andruzzi Foundation that has supported the regatta for years. Former New England Patriots player Andruzzi, who started the foundation that assists families and individuals fighting cancer with their day-to-day bills, was at the opening with his wife. She helped process registrations. Andruzzi has been cancer free for the past ten years.

As Brad explained, the regatta is dependent on the generosity of sponsors and donors. Registration fees go toward a scholarship fund. Hosts for the event are William Palmisciano, Commodore of the East Greenwich Yacht Club and Dave MacMillan, Board Chair of the East Greenwich Bay Sailing Association.