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May 21, 2008

Kennedy doesn't want to forget about racing in Figawi

mya.jpg
AP file photo
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy sails his sailboat, Mya, out of Martha's Vineyard's Menemsha Harbor in August 1997 with then-President Bill Clinton, Hillary Rodham Clinton and Kennedy's son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., on board.


U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy was apparently eager to leave a Boston hospital this morning and return to Cape Cod at least in part because he wants to race his sailboat this weekend.

The 37th annual Figawi race starts Saturday, and Kennedy's 50-foot sailboat, Mya, is among the 205 sailboats registered to race between Hyannis and Nantucket.

Kennedy regularly takes part in the race, which starts a short sail from the Kennedy Compound in Hyannisport. Last year, the Concordia yawl won its division on the return leg.

Kennedy's wife, Vicki Kennedy, has suggested to friends that her husband wants to race this weekend despite his being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor.

“Teddy is leading us all, as usual, with his calm approach to getting the best information possible,” she wrote in an e-mail yesterday to friends.

“He’s also making me crazy (and making me laugh) by pushing to race in the Figawi this weekend,” she wrote.

The Figawi "is recognized as a top sailing event not only on the east coast but is known nationally as well as internationally," according to the race's Web site.

The early-season race across Nantucket Sound is often marked by foggy conditions -- contributing to its name -- and has a reputation for a party atmosphere. After racing from Hyannis to Nantucket, the sailors spend Sunday on Nantucket before racing back to the Cape on Monday.

Kennedy won Division C on the race back from Nantucket last year, according to race results on the Web site.

Kennedy's boat had finished 10th out of 16 in its division on the race to Nantucket, according to race results on the Web site.

The race also hosts a ball, held last Saturday, that benefits more than 25 charities.

-- projo.coms staff writer Jack Perry, with reports from the Associated Press

Posted by Jack Perry  at 11:02 AM | Permalink

Comments

Let him race.....may be his last.....

Mary | May 21, 2008 12:32 PM link

senator Kennedy,should race as it seems the ocean is where he belongs and seems to make him happy.Peace be with you God Bless You Bernie Gemma

Bernie Gemma | May 21, 2008 2:27 PM link

Awesome for Senator Kennedy to embrace life and continue with the race. God bless him and Good Luck!!

kim | May 21, 2008 4:29 PM link

Seeing Senator Kennedy sailing his boat reminds me of the difference between power boaters and sailors. Power boaters are in a hurry to get where they want to be. Sailboaters are already where they want to be. God speed.

Hank Balevic | May 22, 2008 8:31 AM link

Mya is a Concordia schooner, of course, not a yawl. Pretty boat. If I were him I think I'd race one last time, but we don't really know how well he's feeling. It would be a shame to have a crappy race be your last memory of sailing.

Kevin | May 27, 2008 9:09 AM link

Senator Ted Kennedy's reasoned, fair and humane leadership has provided answers to many of our nation's needs. We are grateful to him and his family for setting examples of what political statesmanship can be. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time. His need to keep their lives normal and hopeful is an example for all of us. Go for a win, if not of the race, then of the spirit!

Nell & Doug Spitz | May 27, 2008 11:54 AM link

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