The Port Jefferson Yacht Club’s Village Cup Regatta returned this year with full crews and raised more than $104,000 – a record sum – which was divided between Mather Hospital’s Palliative Medicine Program and Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research.

The friendly competition consists of two teams of boats captained by the yacht club, one racing for Mather and the other for the Village of Port Jefferson. This year’s race – won by the Village of Port Jefferson – honored all those who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the first responder heroes.

The event has raised more than $744,000 over the past 12 years. Last year’s Regatta was held without crew members due to the pandemic. That race raised $40,000.

Actor/director and local resident Ralph Macchio was once again the Regatta ambassador and spoke at the Skipper’s reception following the race. Macchio’s wife, Phyllis Macchio, is a nurse practitioner in Mather’s Palliative Medicine Program.

Prior to the race, all the boats, dressed in flags and banners, took part in the Memorial Parade of Boats that passed by the village dock on their way out to Long Island Sound.