Sail Newport and MetLife announced today that The MetLife Veterans Regatta will take place on May 14-15 in Newport during the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover.
The event marks the second collaboration between Sail Newport and MetLife to bring a recreational sailing experience to veterans and active duty service members who are wounded, ill and injured. Veterans and active duty service members will be teamed with professional sailors at the Volvo Ocean Race during the only North American stopover on the global race. Sail Newport will use its fleet of J22 sailboats at the public sailing center in Fort Adams State Park for training and the race day.
“MetLife is proud to be working with Sail Newport to bring this exciting event to our veteran’s community” said John Hele, executive vice president and chief financial officer, in a prepared statement. “MetLife has a long legacy of supporting the veterans community through various programs and initiatives and we look forward to working with everyone involved in making this racing experience truly memorable.”
Training and racing for the MetLife Veterans Regatta will take place outside of Newport Harbor between Rose and Goat Islands. The full day on-the-water race training clinic on May 14 precedes the race day and will be coached by world-class sailors and racing coaches. Entrants will work to improve their skills including sail trim, racing tactics and strategy, and boat handling. Participants in the MetLife clinic and regatta will have access to the Race Village on May 16 to experience the international event shore side.
The MetLife Veterans’ Regatta is also organized in partnership with the non-profit Warrior Sailing organization which recruits sailors and assists in training activities.
Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover
The Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover starts on May 8 and continues through toMay 20, 2018. The 13-day event also includes Volvo Ocean Race boats in Pro-Am and In-Port racing within yards of the shoreline. The race boats are anticipated to arrive on May 10 in Newport and dock at the Sail Newport Fort Adams location. The Race Village open to the public for free, will feature entertainment, a giant globe theater, children’s activities, team compounds, a working boatyard, sponsor pavilions, and a One Ocean Exploration Zone presented by 11th Hour Racing, with 25 interactive exhibits on marine sustainability and ocean exploration.
What’sUpNewp’s coverage of the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover is brought to you by Sightsailing Of Newport
