Arthur Damast’s “RED WIND” Captures Prestigious Manhasset Bay
Gold Cup Award 2005

 On Saturday, July 30^th, 2005, a picture perfect blue-sky day, Long Island Sound witnessed the furry of 25 participants competing in the 12^th Annual Manhasset Bay Gold Cup Poker Run, hosted by LaMotta’s Restaurant and Manhasset Bay Marina of Port Washington, NY and produced by the National Powerboat Association.

      After being paced to the start off of Execution Rocks by “Dry Martini”, the classic 40 Cigarette piloted by Guy LaMotta, Jr., Arthur Damast and crew in his 46 Skater, “Red Wind”, made the 75 mile run look effortless at speeds approaching 160 mph (faster than the video/photo helicopter capturing the event) and settling into a comfortable 110 mph cruise speed while accurately leading the group to all of the checkpoints, thus earning him “King of the Cats” and a spot in history as his name will be added to the infamous Gold Cup Trophy, which is on display at LaMotta’s Restaurant/Manhasset Bay Marina.

    Tom Abraham displayed superior seamanship also by piloting his 45 Cigarette, “Maximus” with ZUL Power at speeds approaching 130 mph while playing “tag” with Johnny O’Loughlin’s 42 Outerlimits’, “All Fired Up”, until the bilge gremlins took over Johnny’s electrical system causing him to return to port…prematurely. His navigation earned him “King of the V-Bottoms” for the day.

      Dennis Raia’s 43 Nor-Tech Cat, “Phat Cat” is new on the sound this year and dazzled the eyes of all competitors and spectators earning him the “Best Looking Boat” Trophy at the event. Ed Newman’s 36 Baja, “Never Enough” also pleased the eyes of many with his crew dressed so professionally earning the trophy of “Best Looking Crew”.

     The biggest winner of the day though went to first time entry, Adam Grzybek in his 27 Concorde powered by a single 250 HP Mercruiser I/O, cruising at 35 MPH. He and his crew  “Port Plumbing” of Port Washington, NY, drew a Full House and won the $5,000.00 Grand Prize! …and away go troubles, down the drain…

      A big thanks to the crew at Manhasset Bay Marina and LaMotta’s Restaurant for hosting such a great event and we look forward to next year’s

       13^th Annual MANHASSET BAY GOLD CUP POKER RUN 2006

                                   scheduled for July 29, 2006.