This past year was probably my 10th time sailing the Governor’s Cup and the first time in about ten years. The race was both challenging and fun, but I was surprised to see just over one hundred boats cross the starting line. I remember in ’87, when I was the college student in charge of Intuition – a Frers ’39 which was the Race Committee Boat for the starting line, there were at least 300 boats racing.

As a boat owner, I was surprised at the overall cost to participate in the event.   My crew and I bailed on the fancy dinner thinking we could hang with all the alumni at the waterfront but, surprisingly, they never materialized. We didn’t purchase any shirts or posters.  I thought some of the new additions to the event were very positive.  We really enjoyed the online tracking, post-race townhouse accommodations, the great photos from the PhotoBoat and the new River Center.

Most important, though, was that the Governor’s Cup has always epitomized for me what makes St. Mary’s College of Maryland unique and that didn’t change this year.  St. Mary’s gave me the foundation for a lifetime of sailing experiences.  I spent much of my out-of-classroom time at the waterfront and the friends I made there continue to enrich my life. Having the Governor’s Cup so closely tied to St. Mary’s offered me “big boat” experiences and introduced me to incredible sailors from around the region.  For me,  the Governor’s Cup is my Alumni Weekend.  It is a tradition that I have always hoped to introduce to my children, who aren’t quite ready for an overnight race.

I’m saddened that the storied partnership of the Governor’s Cup  and St. Mary’s College may end.   I will be sending President Urgo and AVP Chip Jackson a letter expressing my concerns.  It has been years since I have found the time to volunteer for an event I feel is so important and I’m sorry that it has taken an article like the one linked below to galvanize me to become involved again.  I would like the opportunity to volunteer to save the Governor’s Cup and I hope others feel the same way.  Even if you don’t have the time to volunteer, I encourage everyone to get their boat to the starting line for 2011 – hopefully, it will not be the last time to race 70nm overnight down the bay. I might have to take my kids.

Here is an excerpt from the Enterprise:

Next August’s Governor’s Cup, a sailboat race from Annapolis to St. Mary’s City held for the last 37 years, could be the last, according to Chip Jackson, associate vice president for planning and facilities.

The past few years the race has “been on the edge,” he said.

He said the race cost about $72,000 to put on this year, with just $54,000 in revenue coming back to the college. That means the college subsidized the program to a tune of about $18,000, Jackson said.

The complete Enterprise article can be found here:
http://www.somdnews.com/stories/12082010/entetop161018_32304.shtml

More on the Sailing Anarchy Form:
http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=116521