2018 Melges 24 World Championship joins the race to restore ocean health!
Race Organizers Partner with Sailors for the Sea to Go Green and Achieve Clean Regattas Certification
Victoria BC Canada – May 31 to June 9 – 2018 Melges 24 World Championship is proud to announce that they have joined the race to restore ocean health with Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program. The ocean is in crisis, every year, 8 million metric tons of plastic enters the ocean from land each year and 40% of the oceans are heavily affected by human activity, including pollution, overfishing and destructive fishing practices, and the loss of coastal habitats.
Clean Regattas is a certification system that enables sailors to protect their local waters with 25 Best Practices that make sustainability approachable and easy. This program is an effort by Sailors for the Sea raising the bar for environmental sustainability and ocean health around the world.
“We are thrilled to support the 2018 Melges 24 World Championship in their efforts to educate participants on environmental protection by serving as a model for responsible sailing. Working with the regatta, Sailors for the Sea will help to formalize their conservation efforts and help foster ocean friendly behavior.” – Robyn Albritton, Sustainability Director, Sailors for the Sea.
Royal Victoria Yacht Club along with co-host Canadian Forces Sailing Association and regatta venue Victoria International Marina is dedicated to protecting the waters upon which we sail. According to Regatta Chair, Terry Stamper is excited to implement the Clean Regattas Best Practices to reduce our environmental impact. We are also interested in raising awareness about the issues our ocean faces such as marine debris, chemical runoff and ocean acidification”.
The 2018 Melges 24 World Championship will undertake several efforts in their Clean Regattas campaign, including:
- Wildlife protection presentation by local cetacean expert Mark Malleson
- • Paperless regatta management via Regatta Toolbox website
- • Sustainably sourced and upcycled trophies crafted by local artisans
- • Providing all participants with reusable water bottles and refilling stations
- • Omitting plastic straws and utilizing responsible dinnerware
- • Landfill waste diversion by providing recycling and composting receptacles
- • Providing all participants with reusable shopping bags
- • Wildlife disruption prevention plan
For more information about the regatta visit http://melges24worlds2018.rvyc.bc.ca
Sailors for the Sea and the Clean Regattas program is the world’s only sustainability certification for water-based events. The program enables sailors to protect their local waters by empowering them with tips and resources to implement sustainability initiatives. Since 2006, more than 1100 Clean Regattas have been run in 36 countries and in over half of all the United States.
To learn more contact Robyn Albritton (/robyn@sailorsforthesea.or) or visit gsailorsforthesea.org
Melges 24 Worlds 2018 Clean Regatta Contact:
Duncan & Pamela Stamper
250–812–7723
250–217–8810
