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Sailing Tackles Ocean Health Crisis
17 Sep
Summary
- 11th Hour Racing champions sustainability in competitive sailing.
- Environmental standards are being integrated into sailing rules.
- Ocean data collection occurs during races like The Ocean Race.
11th Hour Racing is actively reshaping the sailing industry by integrating environmental and social responsibility into competitive sailing. The organization, founded in 2010, addresses waste and single-use plastics within the sport, demonstrating that high performance and sustainability can coexist. This commitment is exemplified through its partnership with The Ocean Race, a premier round-the-world sailing event.
Through The Ocean Race, 11th Hour Racing influences environmental policy and promotes ocean literacy. They have supported initiatives like gender-balanced crews and championed rules to reduce carbon emissions in new boat builds, aiming for a 15 percent reduction by 2028. Furthermore, IMOCA yachts participating in races are required to use sails with reduced carbon emissions.
This organization also facilitates the collection of oceanographic data during races, including water samples for microplastic analysis. Beyond the competitive arena, 11th Hour Racing works to make sailing more accessible and inclusive. They provide resources like "The Toolbox" to aid organizations in developing sustainability strategies, emphasizing that these efforts should be integral, not add-ons, to the sport's operation.
