11th Hour Racing Announces Ambassador Program for 2015

Newport, RI (April 28, 2015) – 11th Hour Racing announced today the launch of its 2015 Ambassador Program, which includes fourteen global athletes aiming to positively influence the sailing industry and promote marine stewardship.

A program of The Schmidt Family Foundation, 11th Hour Racing seeks to establish a dynamic new platform for public engagement, emphasizing the responsible use of energy and resources in the context of sailing.

11th Hour Racing Ambassadors serve as on-the-ground resources that listen, learn and raise awareness on ocean health issues. These high-profile athletes, who embrace sustainable practices in their daily lives, are all leaders in their respective fields and promote the 11th Hour Racing message at regattas, among the classes they represent, and with community outreach.

“Our Ambassadors help drive change within our sport by starting a dialogue on ocean health, leading by example, and educating and inspiring youth sailors to protect and care for our oceans,” says Jeremy Pochman, 11th Hour Racing Advisor and Co-Founder. “We are pleased to welcome these gifted athletes to our family as we continue to raise awareness on sustainable practices within the worldwide sailing community.”

The 11th Hour Racing Ambassador 2015 roster includes fourteen professional sailors representing a broad spectrum of competitive classes – from the International Moth to the Volvo Ocean Race, through kite boarding, women’s match racing, college sailing, J/24, J/70, Melges 32, RC44, TP52, Maxi 72 and offshore.

11th Hour Racing 2015 Ambassadors
– Cameron Appleton (TP52/RC44/Melges 32), NZL
– Thomas Burnham (TP52/RC44/Farr 40), USA & ITA
– Brock Callen (kite/Extreme Sailing Series), USA
– Charlie Enright (Team Alvimedica/Volvo Ocean Race), USA
– Andy Green (inshore/TV commentator), GBR
– Jamie Haines (TP52), USA
– Erika Heineken (kite), USA
– Peter Henderson (Maxi 72), USA
– Andy Horton (Moth/RC44/TP52), USA
– Anthony Kouton (Moth/Melges 32), USVI
– John Mollicone (J70/J24/College Sailing), USA
– Dave Rearick (offshore), USA
– Anderson Reggio (Race Management/Volvo Ocean Race), USA
– Stephanie Roble (women’s match racing/J70), USA

“Sailing around the earth puts you in a unique group, it gives you perspective on what’s actually going on out there, but none of that matters if you don’t spread the word,” says Charlie Enright, Skipper of Team Alvimedica in the Volvo Ocean Race. “I look forward to helping do just that, in my new role as Ambassador for 11th Hour Racing. Sure, we keep all our rubbish onboard the boat and recycle it when we get to port, we drink desalinated water to save on plastics and weight, but we can all do better”, concluded Charlie, who will be speaking at the Ocean Summit on Marine Debris during the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Newport, RI, USA, on May 15.

Stephanie Roble, 2014 U.S. Sailing Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year, comments: “Witnessing firsthand the impact we have on our ocean has been a call to action for us as athletes – we need to be passionate, engaged and committed. I am honored to be part of the 11th Hour Racing Ambassador Program.”

Engagement and commitment to ocean health will be hot topics at the upcoming Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Newport, RI, where 11th Hour Racing is a Port Sponsor of the event.

To learn more about the 11th Hour Racing and its Sponsorship, Grant and Ambassadors Programs: www.11thhourracing.org