2016 Trailer
2012 SHTP
You can donate to the campaign at GoFundMe
Ronnie Simpson Racing- 2016 Vendée Globe and 2015 'SF2SF' campaign
Ronnie Simpson Racing is a newly formed racing syndicate whose primary objective is to see Ronnie Simpson become the third and youngest American sailor to ever finish the Vendée Globe Race; the toughest sailing race on the planet. Solo, non-stop and around the world, only two Americans have ever officially completed this race. Ronnie will be sailing to inspire other combat wounded veterans to achieve extraordinary things while overcoming their newfound challenges to lead enriching and fulfilling lives. This campaign will benefit the 501c3 non-profit organization Hope for the Warriors® and is funded by charitable, tax-deductible donations. As preparation, Ronnie will sail around the world in the inaugural 2015 'SF2SF' race.
May 25- Spinnaker Cup
It was a wet and wild day onboard the Criminal Mischief. 25.8 max boat speed, full-on yard sale off Monterey Bay, submerged the bow several times and lost a sail... But we managed to hold onto 3rd in class (out of 11) and 4th overall.
Kicking off Memorial Day weekend was the annual "Spinnaker Cup" race from San Francisco to Monterey. The late-Spring classic is one of the best races of the year. Every time i've done it we've had lots of sunshine and nuking breeze. With just 90 miles of sailing and ending in Monterey, what's not to like? The race is long enough to enjoy being at sea but quick enough to be a full-on sprint with no watch schedule. This year's race ended up being pretty gnarly on the R/P 45 Criminal Mischief.
Rolling out of Richmond at 9:30, we motored to the start off of Tiburon. Starting with full main and #2 jib, we positioned ourselves more or less in the middle of the starting line. The R/P 52 Meanie got a killer start,
May 3- Another delivery up the coast...
Typical conditions that we had on the way up the coast on the R/P 52 Meanie. It's amazing what a difference a couple weeks can make!
Another delivery up the coast.... And this one couldn't be any more different than the full-on brutal pounding that we endured coming back from Cabo on the Criminal Mischief.... Just 4 hours after landing back in San Fran from Switzerland, I was flying out of Oakland bound for Newport Beach. I met up with skipper Paul Allen and the boys on Sunday night and we departed Newport Beach on the R/P 52 Meanie, which just won the Newport-Ensenada race overall (for monohulls). A quick jaunt up the coast, mostly motoring and motor-sailing in light breee and calm seas and we were back in San Fran in just 2 days! Quickest, easiest delivery i've had up the California coast yet, so very happy for that. Lots more sailing and racing coming up. Sailing season in full swing... Love it, but I do believe i'll take a day off to rest after the past few weeks...
out
April 30- Wounded vet's sailing clinic
The group at our first wounded veteran's sailing clinic of 2013. Absolutely great experience and super excited to have been able to introduce these heroes to sailing! Thanks to everyone who was a part of it, and we can't wait for the next clinics in September and October!
Last week was our first wounded-vet's sailing clinilc of the year and it was great! We had five wounded vet's participating in the clinic and had a core volunteer group of 4 volunteers, in addition to a host of volunteers from BAADS. The group sailed for 3 days in the Access dinghies with BAADS, attended a Giants game, kayaked, particpated in a Friday night race at South Beach Yacht Club, did 2 yoga sessions, went for a nature hike at Muir Woods and had a backyard barbecue in Berkeley with a live bluegrass band. Whew! A busy 3 days!
Check out the Hope for the Warriors blog for an article about last week's clinic. This is a Hope for the Warriors clinic, but we use BAADS (Bay Area Association of Disabled Sailors)' boats and facility, so I want to extend my appreciation to their group. They are so awesome to work with I can't even put it in words. This wouldn't be a possiblity without their support and also I want to thank the Commandery of St. Francis Order of St. John, Knights Hospitaller for their significant financial support which has made the last two clinics possible, as well as future sailing clinilcs. Also thanks a million to Doc King, Don Gray, Walt Kotecki, Steissy Nissen and everyone else who volunteeered to help pull this thing off.
Stoked to see these veteran's getting the sailing bug!
April 27- Lausanne, Switzerland
Francois Gabart receiving his prize as 2012 IMOCA World Champion in Lausanne, Switzerland lat night. 4 previous IMOCA World Champs are in that group on stage. Roland Jourdain, Mike Golding, Marc Guillermot and Bernard Stamm. Photo courtesy Christophe Launay
Well, things couldn’t be any more positive for me and for Ronnie Simpson Racing right now. Open Sports Management, the sports marketing firm that has signed a contract with IMOCA to bring international skippers and sponsors to the class, has flown me to Lausanne, Switzerland this week to attend the 2012 IMOCA World Championship prize giving and a press conference regarding the new rule changes and future organization of the class. They are extremely supportive of my cause, me as a sailor and my goal to sail in the 2016 Vendée Globe. I couldn’t be happier with this.