19th annual Ms Race
The 19th annual Ms Race sponsored by the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club for the benefit of 180 Turning Lives round is set for Saturday, Aug. 19 beginning at 8 a.m.
‘Women Wind Warriors’ is the theme of this year’s event, with boats of different sizes welcome with all female crews. Co-chairmen of the Ms Race are Diane Kropfl and Emily Smith, who can be reached for further information at ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com
Recognized as the leading all women’s sailing race in the state, the Ms Race is a Pursuit Race in which each boat will have its own start based on its PHRF-MA rating, eliminating any problems as the start, with smaller boats beginning first, followed by the larger, faster boats. The first boat across the finish line is the winner.
Sailors without a boat but interested in participating as crew can contact the committee at ahyc.ms.race@gmail.com for further information.
As in previous races, there will be two divisions, Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker.
The Ms. Race partners with the Atlantic Highlands Sailing Education Program (AHSEP) to include young women as crew members on participating boats. For women of all ages sailing can build confidence and self-reliance, and the goal of increasing participation of AHSEP students in the Ms. Race is an ongoing and rewarding endeavor.
A celebration beginning at 5:30 for all sailors and an awards ceremony will follow the Sandy Hook Bay race at the Yacht Club, above the Shore Casino at the Atlantic Highlands Yacht Harbor. A DJ will be present, nautical gifts will be on sale, and a raffle of a variety of items including football tickets and a 50-50 will also be featured.
180 Turning Lives Around is a Monmouth County private non-profit organization committed to ending domestic violence, providing a safe haven for its victims, and helping rebuild shattered lives. The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club has been a huge supporter of the organization and its goals since its first race MS Race in 2005; all proceeds from the race as well as associated events are given to the non-profit organization.
It was a group of women sailors who started the Ms Race in 2005 with the goal of supporting and promoting the participation of women in sailing and to benefit 180 Turning Lives Around. The New Jersey Yacht Racing Association has recognized the Ms. Race as the best women only race in New Jersey. Membership in the Yacht Club is not a requirement for participation in the Ms Race. Inquiries about membership, however, are always welcome.
For more information about the race, registration forms and photos from past races, please visit the Yacht Clubs Website
The Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club was founded in 1953 and holds racing events throughout the season.
