The second instalment of the annual Spirit of Bermuda Charity Rally is scheduled to commence on June 18.

Starting from New England or the Chesapeake Bay entrance simultaneously at 4pm Bermuda time, yachts will race to Mills Buoy off St George’s. After completing the first leg, competitors will the choice of continuing on the second leg to finish the race or stay on island before restarting on June 27.

Because of the event’s offshore scoring system, which uses the predicted speed of each yacht together with the actual wind observed by global weather models, boats are scored separately for individual legs plus the combined legs, thus not affecting the result no matter when they choose to depart Bermuda.

As well as giving qualified sailors an opportunity to compete in one of the few offshore sailing amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the rally also aims to raise awareness and secure much needed funds for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation.

As part of the work on island, the foundation delivers youth development programmes, taking nearly every 13-year-old Bermudian on weeklong experiential voyages of self-discovery and teamwork on the Spirit of Bermuda.

Since her maiden voyage in 2006, more than 7,000 students have benefited and set many young Bermudians on course to a maritime career already.

However, those invaluable school trips were stopped temporarily, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result gaining sponsorship has proved increasingly difficult for the foundation.

All entry fees for registering for the rally and funds raised will go towards the Spirit of Bermuda after any minimal costs of providing the event. The yacht and crew that raise the most funds for the programme will be specially recognised.