Press Release
The Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA), in partnership with presenting sponsor Blackbaud, announced that the third annual race, held June 3rd in Charleston Harbor, increased in the number of veterans and active-duty racers from 50 in 2022 to 132 this year.
Active military and veterans participated as crewmembers aboard racing sailboats from all over the Southeast. The top three finishers all hail from the Charleston area:
Cruising Class – Marion Made, Wayne Brudick, Captain. Non-Spin Class – Cheers, Tom Mackin, Captain. Spinnaker Class – Skimmer, Miles Martschick and Ben Hagood, Captains.
In total twenty-six (26) boats participated, with eleven (11) of the racing skippers being veterans. For more results go to the CORA website: https://charlestonoceanracing.com/racing/2023-race-results.
John Young, Senior Director of Business Operations and Leader of VETS (Veterans Engaged Through Service) Affinity Group at Blackbaud said, “Blackbaud was privileged to once again be the presenting sponsor of the third-annual Military Salute Regatta. This event is a meaningful way to support our military community here in Charleston where we're headquartered. The event brings the community together to honor US active-duty and military veterans and lift up nonprofits that provide care and support for military members and their families. We're already looking forward to next year.”
Benefitting from the event's fundraising activities were Veterans on Deck and Fisher House-Charleston. Each organization received a Twenty-Five-Hundred Dollar ($2,500) donation from this year's event.
In a released letter of appreciation to event organizer the Charleston Racing Association (CORA), Paul F. Jacques, CEO-Chairman of Veterans on Deck stated, “On behalf of all of us at Veterans on Deck (VoD), I express our sincere appreciation for your continued support of our mission which is to prevent and treat the invisible wounds that affect members of our Armed Forces, during and after their service, through a sailing program that offers holistic support and resiliency training.” Adding “leadership of the committee was exemplary, and the event was praised by all involved. We are proud to be associated with CORA.”
Chris Stinson, CORA Commodore said, “The ability to freely participate in a sport we are so passionate about is due in large part to the sacrifices of our military.” He continued, “We value the opportunity to share the sport with them and will show our continuing appreciation with the 4th Annual Military Salute Regatta in 2024. The planned date for next year's race is Saturday, June 8th.”
Charleston Ocean Racing Association (CORA) was formed in 1967, a volunteer, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that fosters a passion for sailing. Its mission: organize and conduct competitive sailboat racing year-round to promote Charleston's harbor and offshore waters as a premiere racing destination in the Southeast. More at CharlestonOceanRacing.com.
