Former St George's mayor E Michael Jones says it's an "honour" to be among the crew aboard the Spirit of Bermuda on the sloop's maiden voyage in the Newport Bermuda Race.Mr Jones is among the crew of 32 that will sail the 635 mile race from Newport, RI to St David's.Mr Jones said: "I'm absolutely excited about the opportunity to sail on Spirit on her maiden voyage in the Newport Bermuda Race. I think it's very incredible to get the opportunity to sail with young people as well as seasoned professionals, which is going to make this a wonderful trip."It looks like we will have a bit of quiet weather as we approach Bermuda. But other than that I think Spirit will show herself and do well and I look forward to a very exciting time."You can only do this once, so nobody will ever get the opportunity to sail her maiden Newport Bermuda Race voyage again. The 30-odd crew on Spirit are very special."Mr Jones said doing his first Bermuda Race the same year he celebrates his 60th birthday will make the experience all the more memorable.He added: "It's a honour to be on Spirit for this inaugural run and I think doing my first Newport Bermuda Race on my 60th year is going to make it even more exciting. I think it's a great opportunity to sail on such a momentous trip."I did the marathon (May 24 half marathon) for the first time and now I'm doing the Newport Bermuda Race for the first time so I guess next it's Mount Everest."I think there's a time when you look back in your bucket and you say 'well, what else is in that bucket that I need to get?' So this (Newport Bermuda Race) is certainly one of them."The 2012 Newport Bermuda Race starts tomorrow.