On a day when the Corinthian Yacht Club of Portland had to cancel this year’s Pacific NW Offshore due to the coronavirus pandemic, Schooner Creek Boat Works stepped up, yesterday, to show its unwavering support for this 45 year old, international yacht race by generously committing to be the Title Sponsor of the the race for 3 more years.
When discussing the cancellation of the race, Kevin Flanigan, SCBW Owner and S/V Haven (cruising class this year), suggested that, rather than wait until the fall, we reach an agreement now, he said:
“Although we are unable to race the Offshore this season, as a past IRC winner of the race and an avid sailor, I want to show my support of this event and the sport of sailing by renewing the three year commitment of Schooner Creek Boat Works as title sponsor of the Pacific NW Offshore Race. We are proud to stand behind the only yacht race from the Columbia River to Victoria BC and pledge support for the future of this event in the midst of these trying times.”
Schooner Creek’s General Manager, Pascal Le Guilly, put it more simply:
“We are a team [SCBW and PNW Offshore], no way we could have stopped our sponsorship like this.”
CYC agrees. The last three years we have formed a tremendous partnership to promote this unique and exciting race. Their timely agreement to stay on board for another three years does more than just take the sting out of the tough decision CYC announced today, but shines a bright light on the exceptional opportunities awaiting this race and its competitors moving forward.
In the words of our Rear Commodore, Craig Garrison,
“In a time where good news is in short supply, this support from Schooner Creek is good news of the highest order. I want to give my personal thanks to Kevin and Pascal for their generous and unflinching support of Corinthian Yacht Club’s efforts. This makes CYC's job of improving and promoting our events so much easier.
Many many thanks to SCBW for their support and friendship. 2021 PNWOS is going to be a premium event, due in no small part to SCBW as well as the other sponsors and supporters that have stepped up [and] the ongoing efforts of CYC club volunteers.”