For each of the past eight summers sailors have joined together to support Relay For Life, Linden Lab’s major charity initiative to fund cancer research.
As part of Relay, different user groups across the grid divide into community teams. The teams each hold fundraiser events, and it all leads up to a blow-out weekend in July, held on a set of Linden sims designed for the purpose. This year RFL weekend falls on July 14-15. (That’s right, it starts tomorrow!)
SLSailing’s team is named Sail4Life, and this year it’s leaders are Chad Sawson, Aislyn Keynes, and Fancie Beebee.
With their agreement, this year several sailing clubs “jumped the gun” on RFL weekend and held early S4L events in May and June to build up enthusiasm for RFL.
In these pages, I’ve recently talked about the FIYC Poker Race, the NY30 Solstice Challenge, and Benny’s Woodstock, but actually there were many more events; I’m sorry I could not cover them all. However, it made no difference whether a fundraiser was large or small; after all, $20L is $20L, whether it comes from a loud, mega-event or from a late-night personal donation in memory of a loved one, dropped into a distant kiosk in a solitary, waterside sim.
It’s all for a common purpose, we are all together.
I’m mentioning all this because Relay For Life weekend starts tomorrow, and as soon as it opens you’re most welcome to pile in to the RFL sims. There will be things to buy and fun stuff to do, and at the S4L installation you’ll find a host of boats up for auction!
OkOk… I know you’re thinking you probably already own too many boats, or maybe you own the whole fleet… :-) You worry this boat auction will be a big yawn.
Well, sportsfans, guess again!
Francois Jacques hand-picked the boats going to auction this year, and that means you won’t be disappointed! In addition to three new Trudeau NY30′s (including one donated by Laycee Deed), you can also bid on the ultra-brand-new, meshy Ktaba 20 Teleri MX I talked about a few days ago, and the latest version of Caf Binder’s ACA (it’s that one with the fresh paint smell). 
And woots! that’s just the beginning…. I haven’t even mentioned the fact that Quest’s heatbreak beta, the all-time favorite unlaunched racer touted by Orca and Noodle… their boat-to-die-for …
The Quest Melges 24
will be up on the auction block! Kids, this is your chance to own hull #001!
OH… Yikes, I almost forgot… There’s another boat I need to shout about, but maybe you can guess. You know the worst-kept secret in the big-boat Ocean racing community? Yup, its Kain Xenobuilder’s VO70 !!!!
Well, you don’t have to stand in line drooling, wondering when you can get one of those Xeno Builds. Kain kindly donated a beta to Francois for the Auction! Geez, FJ knows what to ask for, and that means some lucky bidder will get to know this incredible boat before it ever launches!
I have a lot more to say about auction stuff, but maybe I’ve said too much already… See? I told you this Auction was going to be fun.
Let me turn the microphone over to Chad Sawson at this point, he’ll tell you how to get a mooring rental slip at SFL’s sim! To give you a flavor of what he’s talking about, I’m inserting pics from past SFL installs; click on them for a full view.
“2012 Sail4Life Relay Weekend Boat Slip Rental Donations
As part of the 2012 Sail4Life Team’s efforts to raise funds and help eliminate Cancer, we will be renting slips for boat owners and builders to display their pride and joy(s) and take part in the water sim activities at the 2012 Relay for Life of Second Life event July 14th & 15th.
Boats may be rezzed and housed all weekend long and will be on display for all those circling the track during the relay weekend. You can drop by anytime and take your friends out for a cruise or participate in the 24 hour marathon sail. All funds received will go directly to the American Cancer Society to help their world wide effort to fund ongoing research and eliminate Cancer.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone that owns a boat, power or sail, that is within the size parameters defined below. Those registering for a slip will be accommodated on a first come first served basis and assigned slip numbers sequentially.
Boat Size Limitations
We have set up two different slips for rental. Class A/1 and Class 2/3. Please see dimensions for each type below.
Class A/1 – Max Length Overall: 20 Meters; Max Beam: 4.5 Meters
Class 2/3 – Max Length Overall: 33 Meters; Max Beam: 6.5 Meters
Slip Rental Minimum Donation Amounts
Class A/1: $1,000 L$
Class 2/3: $1,500 L$
Requirements for Participation
All Scripts MUST be disabled while moored. Scripts should only be enabled when the vessel is in use. When moored at it’s assigned location all scripts must be deactivated.
Centering and Alignment – While moored, the boat should be aligned with the appropriate X or Y coordinate of their assigned slip number plate to insure everyone has ample space between vessels.
How to Register
Just Go Here! (Cut and paste to your browser)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFpOajZCN1BzVklXRGZZV09zTE8xNHc6MQ
Here’s a candid pic of Jane at the S4L dock bar, back in 2008…
It was great fun! Let’s hope 2012 is better! Woot!
GO SAIL4LIFE!!
However, with a couple reefs in the sail and the team hiked all the way windward, the boat sailed like a real champ; we hit a speed-over-ground of over 34 knots! (And you thought Trudeaus were slow?) 
