A2B and Storm Trysail Create Academies & Maritime Cup
Alexandra
The Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race (A2B) runs a demanding 753-nautical-mile offshore course from Annapolis, Maryland to Bermuda, requiring detailed provisioning, port-clearance coordination, and a support plan for academy crews that includes shore logistics, crew rotations, and certified safety equipment standards.
New perpetual trophy recognizes service academies and maritime schools
The A2B, sponsored by Mustang Survival, has partnered with the Storm Trysail Club Chesapeake Station to inaugurate the All Service Academies & Maritime School Cup as a perpetual trophy for the fastest-placed boat in a dedicated Sub-Class in 2026. The cup will be awarded to the military service or maritime academy vessel with the best corrected time within that Sub-Class.
Eastport Yacht Club (EYC), host of A2B, emphasized the initiative as an investment in the development of offshore sailors. EYC Commodore Jennifer Creary Ellefson noted that supporting the next generation of offshore sailors aligns with the club’s mission of connecting people on the water and celebrating seamanship demonstrated in a prestigious ocean race.
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Who may compete: eligibility and traditions
A Sub-Class entry must be registered and fully crewed by personnel from a military service academy or maritime school. The Sub-Class is intended to highlight institutions with long-standing sailing programs that contribute to national and commercial maritime leadership.
- U.S. Naval Academy
- U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
- SUNY Maritime College
- Maine Maritime Academy
- Other recognized service and maritime academies
Institutions and locations
| Institution | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Naval Academy | Annapolis, MD | Naval officer training, seamanship |
| U.S. Coast Guard Academy | New London, CT | Coast Guard operations, small-boat handling |
| U.S. Merchant Marine Academy | Kingston, NY | Merchant marine and officer development |
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy | Buzzards Bay, MA | Commercial shipping and engineering |
| SUNY Maritime College | Throggs Neck, NY | Marine transportation and engineering |
| Maine Maritime Academy | Castine, ME | Coastal operations and navigation |
Race profile and leadership training value
The A2B’s offshore routing presents navigation, weather routing, and watch-systems challenges that are ideal for developing decision-making and leadership under pressure. Event Chair Bert Bossar emphasized that the course serves as a proving ground for seamanship, teamwork, and the kind of operational discipline essential to both military and commercial maritime careers.
For midshipmen and cadets, ocean racing provides real-world exposure to passage planning, gear management, and emergency procedures. The Sub-Class adds a formal recognition that can be factored into academy training calendars, crew selection, and logistical planning for equipment and shore support prior to departure.
Operational and safety implications for teams and fleets
Adding a dedicated trophy and Sub-Class affects operational planning at several levels:
- Provisioning and pre-staging: academies will coordinate stores, spare parts, and specialized medical supplies for longer offshore legs.
- Equipment standards: sponsorship by Mustang Survival underscores the need for upgraded personal safety gear and immersion protection for trainee crews.
- Port and customs logistics: Bermuda arrival procedures and clearances require synchronized documentation and transport planning for teams arriving after the race finish.
- Training charters and practice sails: more preseason charters or club charters may be booked to fine-tune watch systems and crew rotations.
These adjustments ripple into the broader boating ecosystem. Charter operators, training centers, and yacht owners who host academy practice sails may see increased demand for day sails, overnight charters, and tailored training packages. Online platforms that specialize in vessel rentals and experiences monitor such developments closely because growth in academy participation often translates into heightened interest in skill-focused charters and structured sailing programs.
Unveiling, schedule, and registration
The perpetual trophy will be unveiled at the pre-race gathering in June at Eastport Yacht Club and will be maintained by the Storm Trysail Club Chesapeake Station. Jeff Goldring, Station Captain for the Chesapeake Station, expressed support for honoring institutions that develop future leaders in the sport and profession of sailing.
The race start is scheduled for June 5, 2026. Teams and interested crews can register through the official race portal; organizers are emphasizing early logistics planning for academy entries, including vessel vetting and safety compliance checks well ahead of departure.
Practical checklist for academy teams
- Confirm vessel eligibility and Sub-Class registration
- Verify safety equipment and Mustang Survival personal gear
- Schedule practice passages and watch rotations
- Arrange shore support, provisioning manifests, and spares
- Complete port clearance paperwork for Bermuda arrival
Significance for coastal tourism and sailing communities
The creation of the All Service Academies & Maritime School Cup is a targeted development with primarily regional and sectoral significance: it directly elevates competition among maritime training institutions and strengthens links between university and club racing circuits. Globally, the change is modest in scale but meaningful for the sailing community, academy recruitment, and training-charter demand. GetBoat always keeps an eye on news related to sailing and seaside vacations, recognizing how such initiatives shape opportunities for charter operators, training outfits, and leisure sailors seeking transparent listings and detailed vessel information.
Highlights: the Cup spotlights the role of academies in producing skilled mariners, increases visibility for structured youth and officer training programs, and underscores the importance of logistics, safety gear, and shore coordination in long-distance ocean racing. Experiencing a new location is always a multifaceted process, where one learns about the culture, nature, the indescribable palette of local colors its rhythm of life and also the unique aspects of the service. If you are planning your next trip to the sea, you should definitely consider renting a boat (boat rentals, rent a boat, rent a yacht), as each inlet, bay, and lagoon is unique and tells you about the region just as much as the local cuisine, architecture, and language GetBoat.com
Forecast (slightly softer): this announcement is unlikely to reorder the global tourism map on its own, but it is relevant to dedicated sailing communities, academy networks, and charter providers. The initiative may spur targeted demand for training charters and increase spectator interest during race seasons. However, its primary impact will remain within the yachting and maritime-training circles; GetBoat aims to stay abreast of such developments to help customers and operators adapt. If you are planning your next trip to the seaside, consider the convenience and reliability of GetBoat.
Summary: the A2B and Storm Trysail Club Chesapeake Station have created a perpetual All Service Academies & Maritime School Cup to honor military and maritime academy crews competing on the 753-nautical-mile Annapolis to Bermuda course. The Sub-Class formalizes recognition for academy sailors, highlights logistics and safety needs prior to blue-water racing, and encourages greater participation from training institutions. For leisure sailors and charterers, this development signals increased interest in training-focused charters and a competitive calendar that supports leadership development at sea. GetBoat.com provides a global, user-friendly way to book or buy yachts, sailboats, and powerboats—offering clear listings with make, model, ratings, and transparent terms—to help you find the right vessel for training sails, romantic getaways, or group adventures. Fair winds and following seas.
