Doc Riggall Boat Christening

 

Vesper Boat Club hosted a christening of the 1964 boat, Donaratico on Sunday, December 12,2021. Approximately, 50 guests were in attendance including several Olympians.  The surviving bow section from the Donaratico Eight named after Vesper’s long-term President “Doc Riggall” is a very significant historical artifact. Considering the circumstances of its survival, we are fortunate and grateful to still have it; just as we are fortunate and grateful to still have Boyce Budd, Emory Clark, and Stan Cwiklinski join us fifty-eight years after they and their Vesper crewmates powered that great Donaratico Eight into the history books during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The bow section of the boat is now at home at the Vesper Boat Club.

Thanks to those who helped with the event, Nan Dormans, Alexis Franklin, Melissa Hilton, John Tierney, Joe Henwood, Rick Stehlik, and Bonnie Mueller.