Coast Guard Foundation Cup - Inaugural overnight sailboat race

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke on 9 Feb 2011 Coast Guard Foundation Cup – The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today its first annual sailboat race, the Coast Guard Foundation Cup.

Established to raise funds for Foundation programs for enlisted Coast Guard members, provide financial support for college to families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty, and offer relief for Coast Guard families who have lost possessions in natural disasters, the first annual Coast Guard Foundation Cup will be hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday, May 14, 2011.

The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is an overnight distance race, highlighted by a fun-filled weekend of events that will increase awareness and raise funds to support the Foundation’s important projects and programs that benefit the Coast Guard. The race will start and finish outside of Annapolis Harbor; with additional events scheduled for participants Friday, May 13 and Sunday, May 15.

'The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is a perfect mix of two of my core passions - the Coast Guard Foundation and sailing,' said Jim Muldoon, noted sailor, Coast Guard Foundation board member and chairman of the Coast Guard Foundation Cup. 'It is a great opportunity for sailors to take part in a competitive race and the community to learn more about the Foundation and the tremendous work it does for our maritime guardians.'

Sponsorships of the Cup are available to individuals and businesses with proceeds benefiting the Coast Guard Foundation and its support of the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families. Available sponsorships are Presenting Sponsorship with Exclusivity; as well as Title, Captain, First Mate, and Shipmate sponsorships ranging from $15,000 to $1,000. Details on sponsorship opportunities and benefits are available here.

'This race is a natural fit for the Coast Guard Foundation,' said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. 'The men and women of the Coast Guard serve our country by protecting sailors and other mariners. By sponsoring this Cup, people and businesses are able to give back to those who give so selflessly of themselves to protect everyone at sea.'

The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is open to sailboats with valid PHRF/Chesapeake 4P ratings; J/30, J/35 and J/105 one design classes; and boats with valid CBYRA Multihull ratings. Boats with IRC ratings will sail in their PHRF class and will be scored for both PHRF and IRC. The race will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 (RRS). Scoring will be in compliance with the Low Point System as defined in Appendix A of the RRS.

A Coast Guard Foundation Cup skipper’s social will be held at the AYC on Friday, May 13, 2011. Awards will be presented first/3, second/5, third/7+ entrants’ skippers and crew at the AYC on Sunday, May 15, 2011. The race is a CYBRA sanctioned event.

Entries for the race must be submitted by 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 10, 2011. An online entry form and race details will be available starting late February on the Annapolis Yacht Club’s racing website.

Coast Guard Foundation website