Singled Handedly One Racer/Environmentalist is Making Waves with Sailors for the Sea

The Bermuda 1-2 sees the start of a two-year campaign for Jay Sharkey who will race his environmentally friendly Mini Transat, 'Carbon Neutral' and promote environmental action aimed at protecting the world's oceans

Boston, Mass. - June 5, 2009 - Sailors for the Sea, the only ocean conservation group focused on thesailing and boating community, announces its foray into the world of competitive racing with its support of Jay Sharkey's Carbon Neutral Race Campaign and his environmentally friendly Mini Transat 6.5 meter (21 feet), Carbon Neutral.

Designed primarily as a solo, offshore, transatlantic racer, Carbon Neutral begins the first of 14 races that comprise the two-year campaign with the start of the biennial Bermuda 1-2 and leads up to and includes the 2010 Transatlantic Race.

"My own personal passion for the environment and the oceans made the collaboration with Sailors for the Sea ideal," said Sharkey. "The work they do every day teaches boaters the many ways we can improve our relationship to the seas we sail. With Carbon Neutral, we are going to show that you can be a worthy competitor in ocean racing and be completely environmentally friendly.

First raced on June 18, 1970, the Bermuda 1-2 began when 20 solo sailors in boats ranging from 22 to 41 feet in length departed Newport, Rhode Island to face a grueling 635-mile single-handed race to St. George's, Bermuda. Sharkey joins these pioneers as he starts this year's Bermuda 1-2 and leaves Newport, Rhode Island (single-handed leg) bound for Bermuda, and returns starting June 18, 2009 from St. George's, Bermuda (double-handed leg).

"We are honored to collaborate with Jay on his Carbon Neutral Campaign," said Dan Pingaro, CEO, Sailors for the Sea. "Jay is without doubt a strong advocate and example of the power that resides in marrying passion for environmental protection, and a personal desire to succeed. We know he'll do great things and wish him the best of luck in the Bermuda 1-2."

Mirroring his keen awareness of the effect individual actions - good and bad - have on the environment, particularly the oceans, today's start is one step among many Sharkey will make as a great ocean steward. He is a passionate sailor, and a dedicated, committed conservationist. These passions form the foundation of the Carbon Neutral Race Campaign, designed to ensure the effort takes nothing but the wind, and leaves nothing behind…but a wake. Throughout the campaign, Sharkey will use only environmentally safe products and 'green power' aboard Carbon Neutral, including solar panels, non-toxic bottom-paint, and with the support from sponsors, a methanol powered fuel cell that will charge the boat's batteries without any CO2 emissions.

Innovation at its Best -- The Mini Transat 6.5 meter

Over 600 registered Minis make up the international class, including both prototype and series boats. Prototypes permit the use of carbon in the hull and spars, and allow water ballast and canting keels. Approved production designs made out of fiberglass, with aluminum spars and fixed keels, make up the series boats. The Mini, capable of speeds of 20 knots, is designed to a 'box rule' which gives maximum dimensions for length, beam, draft, height of the mast, and the amount of water ballast (prototypes) that can be carried on board. Many innovative designs in this class were made at the cutting edge of technology. Developments such as water ballast, canting keels and asymmetrical dagger boards were introduced in the Mini Class and eventually incorporated into larger offshore boats including the Volvo Ocean 70's and Open 60's.

For the full Carbon Neutral campaign schedule visit: http://www.sailorsforthesea. org/programs-and-projects/carbon-neutral-racing.aspx.

About Sailors for the Sea

Founded in 2004 and based in Boston, Mass., Sailors for the Sea is a nonprofit organization that educates and empowers the boating community to protect and restore our oceans and coastal waters. For more information on or to participate in any of the Sailors for the Sea programs, or to become a member and support the organization, visit www.sailorsforthesea.org.

For photos of Carbon Neutral, click here.

Contact:
Lauren Curley
Sailors for the Sea
781 383 6406
lcurley@comcast.net

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