WHAT'S NEXT? The inevitable question lingers. After basically two years of planning and executing our Team Lazarus/Le Pingouin entry in the VELUX 5 OCEANS race, we face the reality of completion. It is a sweet feeling of accomplishment finishing the race successfully and reaching every goal we as a team targeted. But it is also a let down in some ways, as the adrenaline of racing solo around the world and the lifestyle of traveling, making new friends and discovering new cultures is exhilarating. Sure we had our ups and downs, but there was never a dull moment. We will keep some of that electricity alive by juggling many activities this summer. This will include sailing aboard Le Pingouin, corporate events, speaking engagements, the push to start writing a book and considering possible competitive sailing races in the future. Read more in my recent blog... Cheers, Brad

The St. Barth’s Bucket is an invitational regatta set in the Corinthian spirit. The regatta is open to yachts over 100’ (31 M) L.O.A., unless invited under the Grandfather Clause (bribes accepted by the R.C.!). Yachts participating will do so at their own risk. This is a fun regatta and safety is the primary concern of the Race Committee. Therefore, we extend an invitation to the owners, captains, crews and guests who participate to make this a fun and safe event.

For more information on the 2011 St Barth's Bucket, click here: www.stbarthsbucket.com

Race organizers for the South’s biggest multiclass keelboat regatta have the kind of problem everyone wishes they had: there are more boats registering for 2011 Charleston Race Week than anyone expected!

“We’ve been happy to see our event grow so steadily over the past five years, especially given the economic climate for much of that period,” said Danny Havens, who took over running Race Week operations late in 2009, shortly after Brad Van Liew retuned to solo around the world racing in the Velux 5 Oceans Race. “Still, we’re a bit surprised to see that our entry list has exploded for 2011, reaching 100 boats almost a month earlier than we did last year!”

Havens may be surprised, but his race management team is ready. “We’ve got a top notch group of race officers and a huge pile of great volunteers to make sure things run smoothly on the water, and we know the resort can handle plenty more partygoers. I say ‘bring it on!’” said Race Director Randy Draftz. For more information, visit www.charlestonraceweek.com

The Atlantic Cup is a brand new Class 40 sailing event that will kick off in New York on May 7, 2011. From New York, the competitors will race to historic Newport, Rhode Island. For the first time in the United States, there will be a substantial prize purse for Class 40 competitors. The prize giving ceremony will be at Newport Shipyard on May 15th.

The 2011 race will showcase the top Class 40 sailors in the U.S. as they sprint double-handed the 240 nautical mile offshore course. Winning the distance race alone won’t be enough to be crowned Atlantic Cup Champion. Once in Newport, skippers will have to race an inshore grand prix around the buoys with a crew of six. The combined overall winner of both stages will be the very first Atlantic Cup Champion.

Additionally, the race organizers are excited to announce that The Atlantic Cup will be run under “Sailor’s for The Sea” clean regatta guidelines, and boats will run on clean power sources. www.atlanticcup.org

Brad Read, Executive Director of Sail Newport, announced on January 27, 2011 that J Class Yachts will host a regatta in Newport, RI from June 15-19, 2011. Sail Newport will be the organizing authority of the regatta which will feature racing between at least three historic J's: Velsheda, Shamrock V and Ranger. Regatta Partners, LLC is the organizer and promoter of this historic event. Racing will take place both inside the Bay with spectacular viewing opportunities from Fort Adams and offshore.

Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the RI Economic Development Corporation, were in attendance at the Jane Pickens Theatre in downtown Newport for the announcement and J Class historic presentation delivered by J Class Secretary David Pitman.

Class Yachts all conform to the J Class design rule, which is 140 feet LOA, approximately 200 tons and masts 175-feet high, making them hard to miss when they're in Newport this summer. J Class Yachts were born from the introduction of the 'Universal Rule' in 1930, which for the first time efficiently controlled the size and peformance of yachts built to compete for the America's Cup.

Look for the boats this summer in Newport at Newport Shipyard! For more information, visit: www.sailnewport.org and www.jclassyachts.com

The Royal Yacht Squadron and the New York Yacht Club, in association with the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Storm Trysail Club, announce the Transatlantic Race 2011.

Participation may be in the Racing, Racing/Cruising or Classic Yacht Divisions. Minimum LOA is 40' and minimum crew size 4. There are no maximums. A separate class within Racing/Cruising may be offered for Superyachts with LOA greater than 100'. Other class assignments will be made consistent with participation.

The race is principally for yachts rated under IRC but level racing classes such as Volvo 70, IMOCA 60 and Class40 may be included at the discretion of the organizing yacht clubs. The race will be subject to the Racing Rules of Sailing (except as modified by IRPCAS governing racing after sunset) and the ISAF Offshore Special Regulations, Category 1.

Race start will be in Newport, Rhode Island. Class/division starts will be staggered from June 26th through July 3rd consistent with anticipated race course times by classes. The finish will be at the Lizard, west of Plymouth, England. For more information, visit: www.transatlanticrace.org

The 2011 Sail For Hope is slated to be held on September 11, 2011. So many have played a big part in the original Sail For Pride in 2001, where we had over 180 boats of all shapes and sizes participate with ensigns proudly flying. Sail For Pride raised $110,000 for the Widows and Children’s Charities that were created to support the families of those lost in the attack on our country on September 11, 2001. After that first unbelievable year, we retired the name Sail For Pride and for the most part started concentrating on RI based Charities. Sail For Hope has since raised over $300,000 for RI and humanitarian based charities from 2002-2009.

For more information, visit: www.SailNewport.org