2012 America’s Cup World Series Newport Artemis Racing
America’s Cup World Series fleet race – Newport, June 30, 2012. Photo by Daniel Forster / Artemis Racing
Pat Stadt will remember his “guest racer” ride on the Artemis AC45 in Newport for years to come. Four weeks earlier, as Pat and his wife Michelle were driving to the Annapolis YC for the Leukemia Cup Gala and Auction, Michelle announced that she’d be bidding on the Artemis guest racer slot as a birthday present for Pat… if he was interested. Michelle and Pat have a good friend on the west coast that had Leukemia and is now in remission and they wanted foremost to support the foundation’s efforts for research and cure. I met Michelle and Pat at the 4th Street Diner in Newport while having breakfast.
Bishop’s 4th Street Diner
One of the best places for breakfast in Newport
Pat explained to me, “Michelle told me on the way in that she was going to bid on it for me for a birthday present but wasn’t sure I’d go for it. After racing an A Cat with a great group (West River Catamaran Racing Association) for about the last 15 years and being an avid AC45 watcher, I have no idea why she’d even question my interest.”
Bishop’s 4th Street Diner
Artemis guest racer Pat Stadt and his wife Michelle enjoy a power breakfast at the 4th Street Diner before the race.
“We bid against several other serious contenders and on each bid Michelle would tell me “that’s now for the next couple of birthdays worth of presents”….I think we finished somewhere around where I can expect a different present when I turn 92.”
2012 America’s Cup World Series Newport Artemis Racing
Pat Stadt on board Artemis at windward mark. Photo by Daniel Forster / Artemis Racing
After the day’s racing, Michelle and Pat joined me at the “world’s best sailor bar” – IYAC on Thames Street in Newport. Pat told me about the rush he got during the bear away at the windward mark – “The only thing I can compare it to is the acceleration on an ice boat!” Michelle and Pat took home a T-shirt autographed by the Artemis crew and memories that are sure to last until Pat’s 92nd birthday and beyond.
Artemis guest at IYAC
Guest racer Pat Stadt and wife Michelle, after the race, with IYAC co-owner Pat Kennedy