Yachtsman Jim Clark donates to two Newport charities

by Kirsten Ferguson on 16 Mar 2011 Yachtsman The pioneer and co-founder of Netscape Communications, proved to be a man of his word as demonstrated today with a donation of $150,000 each to two Newport-based charitable organizations: Sail Newport and Oliver Hazard Perry Rhode Island (OHPRI).

The donations are follow-throughs on Clark’s public promise to make contributions to marine charities if he were ever to hire professional sailors to race in pursuit of a trophy. Clark, who competes in regattas with his 137-foot J-Class yacht Hanuman, hopes to have other J-Class owners follow his lead.

'I have made it quite public that if I spend money on professionals to try and win a sailing competition, I will donate a comparable amount to a marine or sailing-based charity,' said Clark. 'Some of us are fortunate to own J-Class yachts, and if we all give back in the spirit of friendship, dedication to the sport of sailing, and devotion to the oceans that we use, perhaps we can have an impact.'

Clark recently announced plans to integrate the Newport-based Puma Ocean Racing Team and helmsman Ken Read into Clark’s amateur team aboard Hanuman in a series of upcoming Caribbean regattas.

'Jim Clark keeps his promise,' said Brad Read, executive director of Sail Newport. 'All of us sailors have spent a lifetime enjoying the world’s oceans through the sport of sailing, and Jim’s enthusiastic leadership in contributing to the oceanic environment sets a tremendous example.'

According to Brad Read, Clark’s donation will benefit Sail Newport’s public access sailing center and sailing programs for all ages. Sail Newport is a non-profit organization founded in the wake of the loss of the America’s Cup in Newport, R.I., to foster the sport of sailing. Since 1983, the organization has attracted and managed several hundred sailing events including local, national and world championships. In addition, Sail Newport maintains a nationally-recognized youth sailing program which is developing the next generation of American sailors. A financial aid and scholarship fund enables students of all ages to learn and enjoy the sport regardless of economic resources.

Bart Dunbar, chairman of OHPRI, said the funding comes at an ideal time in the building of Rhode Island’s 'Education at Sea' Tall Ship SSV Oliver Hazard Perry and the development of its educational programs. 'The school ship Oliver Hazard Perry will serve as an ocean classroom for experiential learning by youth of all ages and represent Rhode Island’s rich maritime history,' said Dunbar. 'We feel honored to be the recipient of such a generous donation and are glad to be in the company of Sail Newport, which has been so involved in the community and advancing youth education as well.'

The steel hull of the SSV Oliver Hazard Perry is currently dry-docked and undergoing work at Promet Marine Services in Providence, R.I. After the deck, masts, rigging, sails and electronics have been added and it's at-sea education programs for secondary schools and colleges established, SSV Oliver Hazard Perry will sail as a 230-foot (sparred length), three-masted, square rigger--the largest privately owned tall ship in America.

For more information on Sail Newport, click here.

For more information on SSV Oliver Hazard Perry, click here