Tradition grows where the wind blows in mid-July at the Eastern End of Long Island Sound. The MUDHEAD BENEFIT CUP turns 4 years old in 2011, but we've taken some grown up steps for HOSPICE OF SOUTHEASTERN CONNECTICUT.

It's a Regatta. (Voted Best Managed Race by ECSA IN 2008 & 2009) It's a MegaParty. 650 sailors and supporters turned out for live music, food and Commaradarie with a capital "C". (Best ECSA Party 2009) And it's a Fund-raiser. We've stuffed the coffers of Hospice of SECT with thousands of dollars of much needed support.

Last year we had 4 circles and multiple races from Stonington to New London with a mix of Windward/Leewards and Around the Buoys for all. PHRF - One Design - Cruising Canvas - J-24's – Ensigns. If you can race it, bring it and we'll find a class for it.

Whether you raise one dollar or a thousand dollars, we want your happy, wet sanded bottom with us on July 16th. You must register in advance at mudheadracing.com.

Friday night, July 15th The RACER'S JAM kicks off the festivities with a music fest featuring the best musicians who know the difference between a jib, a jibe and a jive. Drown out the sound with Cottrell Beer and a Sea Swirl Bar-B-Q. Bring your own instrument and play along. Pick up your SI's and Song Sheet. Don't confuse the two!

SATURDAY, WE'LL ACTUALLY RACE FROM 11 TO 4!

Saturday night, it's the Mega Party under the tent at Mystic Shipyard. Dance to the music with Rock 'n Soul Revue, gorge on a buffet dinner provided by the best Mystic restaurants and celebrate a great day of racing for a good cause. Did we mention there's plenty of rum, wine and beer? Well, duh!

Ranked #1 by Princeton Review’s “Best Party Marina in America 2010”

We'll have Trophies galore, the Hospice Cup and the Mudhead Benefit Cup for the top fundraiser. Raffles and Auctions, too! Join us for a boisterous blowout! And raise money for the wonderful work performed by Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut.  

Make the Most of Life in 2011!

Details at www.mudheadracing.com or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Mudhead Benefit Cup for Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut
July 15-16, 2011 at Mystic Shipyard.

The Mega Event.

One by One.

By Greg Gilmartin

Under the Sperry Tent at Mystic Shipyard, the Rock n’ Soul Revue filled the night with great tunes, 20 Mystic area restaurants and 25 gallons of rum combined to fill the bellies of sailors and non sailors alike.   30 skippers went home with racing trophies, a dozen more with raffle prizes and Crystal Slipper’s Mike Cavanaugh stole a 60 foot slip at Seaport Marine in the live auction.

The event was a memorable one and Hospice SECT was the big winner.  The shiny Mudhead Benefit Cup made it’s first appearance, and while the title of Top Fundraiser has been the exclusive success of Team Patriot for two years, for 2010 a new name will join them.  The Bergendahl family is this year’s top fundraisers.   Money is still being collected, matching funds are coming from local corporations and anyone can still donate on line at firstgiving.com.  Pick a boat and give!

Click here to enter the race on line. http://www.mudheadracing.com. There is no entry fee and the sign up will be completed in minutes.

Picking up the Sailing Instructions has never been more fun! Come join us Friday night for the Skipper’s Meeting under the tent at Mystic Shipyard in West Mystic. The Frank and Greg Show starts with distribution of SI’s, Scratch Sheets and a Weather Briefing along with Tidal Tips and Tricks. Then enjoy hot dogs and hamburgers with Cottrell Beer and a musical jam on stage with some locals who know the difference between a jib, a jibe and a jive. If you play, bring your weapon of musical construction and join in. We’ll have sheet music!

THE RACING

Saturday morning the playing field awaits. We will prepare for racing circles from Stonington to Groton. The NOR is posted right here and the SI’s are as follows ^:

• Click here for the Sailing Instructions for classes : Shields, Ensigns, PHRF.
• Click here for the Sailing Instructions for classes : J24.
• Click here for the Sailing Instructions for classes : Cruising Canvas.

We plan to conduct the races in the usual manner and will try not to screw up 12 knots of breeze from the SW under sunny skies!

The MEGA Party

Under the tent at Mystic Shipyard, the party of the century will commence approximately 5 pm with music by the Rock N’ Soul Revue. It’s $20 a head and it all goes for charity. A buffet line will be set up offering a variety of salads, meats, pastas and side dishes from Mystic area restaurants. We’ve got the beef this year. Alcoholic beverages will be served to those 21 and older. The dance floor will be rocking and the raffle will be chock full of great gifts, prizes and paraphanalia.

AN EVENT FOR THE AGES!

They came for the rum, the sun and the fun. They got it all plus a steady westerly breeze and all the competition they could handle. They came to make the most out of life. And they did!

58 boats competed on three circles and the 2009 Mudhead Benefit Cup for Hospice Southeastern Connecticut was resounding success Saturday, July 18th. Thank you to all participants, volunteers and those who made generous contributions to the cause. You all made this one of the top events of a racing season. Hey, wait a minute! It was the top event of the sailing season!

There are two new names on the 20 year old Mallove Memorial Hospice Cup today for best corrected times. In the Racing Division, the Bergendahls in One More Time nipped Kaizen and the venerable Peter Ross in Tynaje won over Bruce Lockwood in Cruising. Nine divisions in all received trophies including 4 PHRF, 3 One Design and 2 Cruising. The Rock n' Soul Revue provided the music and the dance floor was busy with happy feet all night long. 13 local restaurants provided the food and Goslings provided the rum. There were raffle prizes, a silent auction and more Goslings. And as the last sailor left the empty tent, there was still a buzz in the night that surely followed everyone home.

Man, we just made the most out of life!

Here are the results! and link to photos by Scott Barnhill Photography.

79 Boats and Counting!

Great job, Mudheads! We will be racing on Saturday on three circles. 12 J-24s! Now we're talking one design.

If you have something that floats, get involved! And don't forget to keep pushing for donations.

The Skipper's meeting is Friday night at 6:30 at Mystic Shipyard. Pick up your sailing instructions and the final scratch sheet.

Here is a updated entry list.

And it’s all for Hospice SECT .

Making the Most of Life!