On Saturday, August 17, the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club in Atlantic Highlands, NJ will host the 2019 Ms. Race, an annual charity sailboat race designed to benefit and raise awareness for 180 Turning Lives Around (180nj.org). 180 is a Monmouth County-based private, non-profit organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in the community. All proceeds from the Ms. Race as well as other related special events throughout the year are donated to this incredible organization.
The winners of the 2018 Ms. Race, the crew of Ann Myer’s J/105 Magic (Raritan Yacht Club), are looking forward to this year’s event. © Ivy Dash/Dash Photography
“We are commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Ms. Race this year with the theme ‘Sailing Strong for 15 Years,’” said event co-chair Diane Kropfl. “Participation in the Ms. Race is comprised entirely of female skippers and crews, and it is the only women’s race event in the Sandy Hook/Raritan Bay region. It promises to be the largest event to date with a fundraising goal of $20,000. Over the life of the event, the Ms. Race has raised over $140,000 for the 180 organization.”
Inaugurated in 2005 by a group of female sailors who regularly participate and crew in the Atlantic Highlands YC Wednesday night race series, the Ms. Race is sponsored by AT&T and supported by AHYC members and the race committee. With participants from surrounding yacht clubs, the expected turnout includes racing and cruising vessels ranging from 24 to 45 feet in length. Race organizers plan a full schedule of events for the day, starting with a captain’s meeting at breakfast and culminating in a celebration that evening with an awards reception.
“The Ms. Race invites all women sailors with their boats and crews, to participate in this wonderful cause,” said co-chair Eileen Campbell. “With the goal to expand participation of women and girls of all ages, the Ms. Race committee partners with the Atlantic Highlands Sailing Education Program (AHSEP), to further promote participation of young women in sailing. The event has a pursuit race format, in which slower and typically smaller boats start the race first followed by faster and normally larger boats, and the first boat that crosses the finish line wins the race.”
- Fresh off crewing in the Newport Bermuda Race, Donna Syers helmed her Beneteau First 40.7 Overlap (Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club) to a third place finish with a crew of 15 including two 4-year-old girls. © aeSchoeller
For more information about this year’s race as well as registration information, please contact the Ms. Race planning committee at ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com or visit facebook.com/MsRaceAHYC. To learn more about Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club, log onto ahyc.net. ■
