Sailing to Triumph: Veterans Command the Waves
Sail for Hope celebrates veterans' resilience through sailing, uniting camaraderie and skill in a remarkable Newport regatta.
Amidst the renowned waters of Newport, Rhode Island, the annual Sail for Hope regatta has become a beacon of resilience and camaraderie. Originally conceived as Sail for Pride in Fall 2001, this event was a heartfelt effort to aid New York City's first responders post-9/11. Over time, it has evolved into a celebrated occasion that supports numerous nonprofits.
During last fall's race, for example, the C&C 30 Chinook, captained by a remarkable crew of Iraq War veterans. At the helm was Steve Baskis, an Army veteran who lost his sight due to an IED explosion in Baghdad in 2008. Alongside him was tactician Mike Patterson. Together, their adeptness and determination turned a jaw-dropping race into an unforgettable journey.
The organization behind this endeavor, Sail to Win, champions the cause of empowering wounded veterans through the exhilarating sport of sailing. Founded by Army vet Aaron “Ike” Isaacson in collaboration with professional sailors Mike Patterson and Whitney Curtin, the nonprofit aims to instill a mission-focused approach akin to military operations. Isaacson, himself an accomplished alpinist, discovered a new passion in sailing, seeing in it a lifelong sport akin to his earlier mountaineering pursuits.
Isaacson, who once climbed alongside Baskis in Nepal, believes that sailing trains both body and mind. The nonprofit's flagship mission, embodied in last fall’s Sail for Hope, seeks to furnish veterans and first responders with skills and experiences that sailing uniquely provides.
The day spent navigating the racecourse was anything but ordinary. Alternating between placid zephyrs and brisk gusts, the conditions demanded utmost agility and teamwork to pilot any one of these sleek sailing yachts to victory. The partnership between Baskis and Patterson proved formidable as we maneuvered across the 20-mile stretch, punctuated by frequent sail changes and stretches under spinnaker.
Even in the face of stiff competition, Chinook's crew demonstrated their prowess, claiming a respectable sixth place among ten contenders. The synchronization and strategy exhibited were testament to the perseverance instilled by Sail to Win. For us, it wasn’t about the final standing; the true victory lay in mastering the challenges and reveling in the swift dance across the waters.
