On Saturday, Aug. 17, sailors donned pink and raised money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation as they sailed around Shilshole Bay.

At last count, the event raised almost $38,000, and more checks are rolling in. During the race, teams earned money for each buoy they rounded, either by purchasing themselves or asking for donations. Each buoy rounded amounted to $100 if funded. Teams could prearrange buoy purchases before the race. There was also a silent auction.

Last year, the Seattle Pink Boat Regatta raised $36,000.

Some changes happened between last year, Seattle’s first annual Pink Boat Regatta, and this year. According to Three Sheets NW, founder Thomas Watson bailed on the project he started. He had initially planned to raise up to $1 million for breast cancer research and had intended to embark on a ‘round-the-world journey in his pink boat, which would have been a world record for the size of his boat.

But, life interrupted.

His ex-girlfriend sued him for $8,500 he owed her from when they were in a relationship and he got on a boat and skipped town to go to the Virgin Islands with his new wife, according to Three Sheets NW. He left the Regatta’s signature pink boat, the Darwind, in Seattle, and it was seized by the King County Sherriff’s Office to be auctioned off to pay off Watson’s debt.

Now, this year, the Sloop Tavern Yacht Club has taken ownership of the Pink Boat Regatta and last year’s co-coordinator, STYC’s Ashley Bell, took on coordinating duties again to see that it was successful.

Judging from the pinkified boats out on the water, the fun-having hooting and hollering sailors and the remarkable fundraising -- it looks like she succeeded.

The Ballard News-Tribune was on scene to take photos. To view them, click on the main picture above or the thumbnails below.

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