SHAKE-A-LEG’S
WALL STREET AND CORPORATE CHALLENGE CUP
Business Executives Trade Suits for Sailing Attire;
Raise Money for Shake-A-Leg
NEWPORT,
R.I. (July 6, 2003) – Four teams of corporate
executives will compete in Shake-A-Leg’s
2003 Wall Street and Corporate Challenge Cup (WSCCC)
when it returns to the legendary waters off Newport,
R.I. this July 11-12. Now in its 12th year, the
WSCCC includes two unforgettable days of racing
aboard the legendary America’s Cup 12 Meter
yachts American Eagle, Columbia, Intrepid and
Courageous. Proceeds—each of the teams raise
$30,000 for the opportunity to participate--support
Shake-A-Leg-Newport’s various programs for
people with spinal cord injuries and nervous system
dysfunctions. Hyatt Regency, located on Goat Island
in Newport, is the event ’s presenting sponsor.
Returning
two-time champion MELLON/DREYFUS BANK (New York,
N.Y./Boston,
Mass.) will compete against returning veterans
MBIA (Armonk, N.Y) and PARKER/VETRIX (Newport,
R.I.). A "Friends of Shake-A-Leg" team
will round out the four-boat fleet. The corporate
teams will consist of up to ten members of the
14-person 12-Meter crew. At least two sailing
notables will be assigned to each boat, with additional
top sailors from Shake-A-Leg’s adaptive
sailing program leaving their wheelchairs on the
dock to join the racing action.
"This
opportunity is like no other," said able-bodied
participant Walter Kress, President, Dreyfus Financial
Services. "It’s a chance to use all
the skills and senses you’ve acquired in
the working world to come up with a winning combination
of talent and energy, but in the end it’s
not really about who comes out on top. It’s
about taking in everything that’s happening
around you, understanding the spirit of the people
who believe in Shake-A-Leg and appreciating the
life you have."
Among
the high-profile sailors participating will be
Shake-A-Leg-Newport’s Chairman and CEO Paul
Callahan (Providence/Newport, R.I.), who represented
the USA in sailing at the 2000 Paralympic Games.
Race Director will be Robie Pierce (Newport),
renowned international able-bodied and disabled
sailor.
The
races will be headquartered at Goat Island, where
the Hyatt Regency-Newport is located. Other sponsors
are Crystal Spring Water, The Market-Newport,
Team One-Newport and Quinnipiac University.
About
Shake-A-Leg
Shake-A-Leg
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 utilizes Salve Regina University
and Fort Adams State Park facilities for its adult
and teen rehabilitation services, as well as the
Confidence is Cool Camp for youngsters.
Shake-A-Leg’s
internationally recognized adaptive sailing program
is located at Fort Adams and provides recreational,
instructional and competitive sailing opportunities
for those who wish to build confidence.
"What’s
beautiful about our sailing programs as well as
the Wall Street and Corporate Challenge Cup,"
said Larry Gadsby, Shake-A-Leg Newport’s
Chief Operations Officer and producer of the WSCCC,
"is that people with disabilities become
equal to able-bodied people when they are out
on the water."
For
more information, contact Shake-A-Leg-Newport
at P.O. Box 1264, Newport, R.I., 401-849-8898
(phone), 401-848-9072 (fax), Larrygadsby@aol.com.
Results will be available at www.shakealeg.org
or www.wsccc.org
