RACE for UKRAINE: 12mR Sailors Unite On Narragansett Bay

UPDATE, June 8, 2022: Race for Ukraine raises $19,100 for Heart to Heart International.

⛵️🇺🇦Race for Ukraine, organized by the 12 Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station, with Ida Lewis Yacht Club, the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America’s Cup Hall of Fame and Bristol Yacht Club raised $19,100 for Heart to Heart International.

Thank you to all who particpated and for their generous donations!
The International 12mR-Class stands with the people of UKRAINE.🇺🇦

Race for Ukraine, June 4, 2022

JUNE 4, 2022

RACE FOR UKRAINE:
Sailors Unite on Narragansett Bay

Ida Lewis YC, 12mRClass, 12MYC, Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol YC

April 22, 2022 – NEWPORT, RI – The International Twelve Metre Association (ITMA), in full support of the people of Ukraine and in solidarity with our Northern Europe 12mR fleet, is honored to endorse RACE FOR UKRAINE, a fundraising regatta around Conanicut Island, coordinated by the 12 Metre Yacht Club Newport Station to be held on June 4, 2022.

International 12mR fleet gathered at recent World Championships in Helsinki, Finland 2021 (left) and at Newport, Rhode Island 2019 (right) photos: SallyAnne Santos, Ian Roman
International 12mR fleet gathered at recent World Championships in Helsinki, Finland 2021 (left) and at Newport, Rhode Island 2019 (right) photos: SallyAnne Santos, Ian Roman

Spearheaded by Newport’s 12mR fleet, the event was envisioned by 12 Metre Yacht Club Commodore and ITMA Americas’ Fleet Vice President, Steve Eddleston. Owner of the America’s Cup winning 12mR Weatherly (US-17), Eddleston quickly assembled 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. While hosted by the 12 Metre Yacht Club, the event is open to all sailboats with PHRF ratings. Official event charity, Heart to Heart International (HHI) will track the donations of each boat individually enabling the broadest base of donors to “back their boat” with online contributions.Eddleston said,

Clinic in a Can
Clinic in a Can

“The most important competition will be the fundraising drive off of the water with each boat vying for top donation bragging rights. I’m hoping this event will clearly demonstrate that sailors everywhere stand with the people of the Ukraine.” All proceeds will go directly Heart to Heart International (HHI), a global humanitarian organization whose mission is to improve healthcare access around the world by ensuring quality care is provided equitably in medically under-resourced communities and in disaster situations.. This Charity Navigator top rated organization has already sent 3 mobile medical facilities (Clinics in a Can) and $13 million in medicines and medical supplies to Ukraine.

Members of the International Twelve Metre Class include a sizeable and very active fleet of Vintage 12mRs in the Baltic Sea. The 2021 EVLI 12mR World Championship held in Helsinki, Finland hosted competitors from throughout the region. ITMA Northern Europe Fleet Vice President, Patrick Howaldt said: “We whole-heartedly support the efforts of our American friends and will be following the competition online with great interest.” ITMA President, Paul Buttrose added: “On behalf of the International Twelve Metre Class, which includes a worldwide membership, it is most gratifying for me to support this important cause which is in urgent need.” 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).

To register, donate and for more information please visit: https://12myc.org/RaceForUkraine

#RaceForUkraine, #12mRClass, #12MYCNewport

ABOUT HEART TO HEART INTERNATIONAL:
Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Heart to Heart International (HHI) is a global humanitarian organization focused on improving access to health. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $2.4 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters both domestically and internationally by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity, a BBB Accredited charity and is on the “Philanthropy 400.” To learn more, visit hearttoheart.org

ABOUT CLINIC IN A CAN:
Founded in 2010, Wichita-based Clinic in a Can specializes in custom, pre-built modular, ready-to-use medical structures that are solar or electric powered for use during disasters, crisis and otherwise. These long-lasting structures are climate controlled, offering a professional environment necessary for medical operations, and can be delivered anywhere for immediate use. For more information, visit clinicinacan.org

ABOUT THE 12 METRE YACHT CLUB, NEWPORT STATION (12MYC):
The 12 Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station is the organizing authority of the Americas fleet of the International Twelve Metre Association. The mission of the yacht club is to increase public awareness and appreciation of the sport of 12 Metre racing.  It encourages continued involvement in preserving, restoring and racing 12 Metre yachts in the Newport area and elsewhere in the Americas. To learn more, visit 12myc.org

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL 12 METRE ASSOCIATION (ITMA):
The 112 year-old International 12 Metre Class encompasses a living history of racing yacht design by the world’s foremost naval architects including Olin Stephens, Clinton Crane, William Fife III, Johan Anker, Alfred Mylne, Charles E. Nicholson, Philip Rhodes, Ben Lexcen and more who pushed their designs to the very limits of innovation. The resulting boats represented the pinnacle of yacht development from 1907-1987 for the highest levels of international sailing competition– the Olympic Games (1908-1920) and the America’s Cup (1958-1987). To learn more, visit 12mRClass.com

CONTACTS:

Event Chairman, 12MYC Commodore:
Steve Eddleston
eddleston@gmail.com
+1 617-548-7164
12 Metre Yacht Club, Newport Station:

Peggy Hersam

12myachtclub@gmail.com

+1 203-807-1066

International 12 Metre Class:
SallyAnne Santos
sallyanne@windlasscreative.com
+1 917-330-1730