Photo: Courtesy of Wunderlich Inc.
One man is attempting to break the record time it takes to race around Long Island and Manhattan in a speedboat.
To raise awareness and funds for Cystic Fibrosis, National Powerboat Champion, Stuart Hayim will attempt to race around Long Island and Manhattan in record time.
Not a boating novice, Hayim is a four time World Champion and three time US National Title holder. He will be challenging his own “Around Long Island Off-Shore Powerboat Speed Record” that he set back in 2012 when he raced around the two islands in a speedy two hours and eleven-minutes. The National Powerboat Association recorded the time and Hayim raised $121,000.
Expecting to reach speeds over 150 mph, Hayim will be racing in a 51” MTI with twin Mercury 1650 race engines.
Hayim’s goal this time around is to raise $250,000 for the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Boomer Esiason, a retired quarterback, started the Boomer Esiason Foundation after his son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis.
According to the foundation’s website, the Boomer Esiason Foundation “is a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education, and quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure.”
Esiason will be waiting for Hayim at the finish line.
Hayim himself is no stranger to charities. He is also a cancer survivor, beating lymphoma. His lifelong dream has been to use offshore powerboat racing as an avenue to give back to hospitals and other charities close to his heart. As a defending champion, Hayim has won 67 out of the 80 races and donated every dollar of his prize money to the Monti Foundation at North Shore Hospital on Long Island.
On July 21, 2015, the boat takes off at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to return before 10:30 a.m. Hayim is departing and returning to the North Cove Marina in Manhattan.
The race is set to be streamed live on mobile and online where supporters can tune in to watch the race in action or listen in to WFAN for live updates. Login here to donate or find out more information about this race.
-by Audrey DuVall
