Sailors to unite for Ukraine

A fundraising regatta around Conanicut Island in Narraganset Bay will seek to support the people of Ukraine when the RACE FOR UKRAINE is held June 4 in Newport, RI.

Spearheaded by Newport’s 12 Metre fleet, the event was envisioned by 12 Metre Yacht Club Commodore Steve Eddleston, owner of the America’s Cup winning 12mR Weatherly (US-17) who gatthered a team of collaborators throughout the sailing community to orchestrate the event.

Included are Ida Lewis Yacht Club (ILYC) and Bristol Yacht Club (BYC) who will provide simultaneous race starts at each end of the Bay and the Herreshoff Marine Museum (HHM), who will serve as Organizing Authority by registering and scoring all entries.

Newport’s 12mR fleet is expected to turn out in force for this event; in addition to Weatherly (US-17), early entries include 1958 Cup winner, Columbia (US-16) and Nefertiti (US-19). While hosted by the 12 Metre Yacht Club, the event is open to all sailboats with PHRF ratings.

“The most important competition will be the fundraising drive off of the water with each boat vying for top donation bragging rights,” noted Eddleston. “I’m hoping this event will clearly demonstrate that sailors everywhere stand with the people of the Ukraine.”

Official event charity, the global humanitarian organization Heart to Heart International will track the donations of each boat individually enabling the broadest base of donors to “back their boat” with online contributions.

Event details and donation information: https://12myc.org/raceforukraine