Bristol, RI (July 1, 2022) – In light of the tragic incident that occurred during the running of the 51^st Newport to Bermuda Race, US Sailing, at the request of the race organizing authority, has convened a panel of experts to study the incident.

The panel looks to fact-find on contributing factors including, weather conditions, crew experience, safety regulations and more to produce a chronology of the causative events and quantitative lessons learned to help make the sport of offshore racing safer. US Sailing estimates the report will be completed in the fall.

The Panelists include:

Greg Miarecki (Chair) is a member of Chicago Yacht Club and the Storm Trysail Club. He has raced hundreds of distance races in Lake Michigan, including 35 Chicago Yacht Club Races to Mackinac. He served as Chair of the Race in 2008 and 2009, the former being the 100th Race to Mackinac, which attracted over 450 boats to the starting line. Greg served for many years on the Flag and Board of Chicago Yacht Club, including two years as its Commodore in 2015 and 2016. Greg was one of the five founding Commodores of the Chicago Area Sail Racing Association, and currently serves as President of the Chicago Yacht Club Foundation.

Ed Cesare is a financial professional who is also a competitive offshore sailor. He owned and campaigned a Class 40 (doublehanded) and regularly navigates for several high-end programs. In the course of sailing over 100,000 miles offshore, Ed has raced all five of the world’s great 600 milers, including 18 Bermuda Races, as well as three transatlantic races. He serves as Commodore of the Storm Trysail Club, is past Overseas Rear Commodore for the Royal Ocean Racing Club, past Commodore of the Norwalk Yacht Club, and is a Trustee and committee chair for the New…