ABSTRACT
11th Hour Racing is an international organization based in Newport, Rhode Island, that establishes strategic partnerships within the sailing and maritime communities to promote collaborative, systemic change benefitting the health of our ocean. 11th Hour Racing was founded in 2010 by philanthropist Wendy Schmidt and professional sailors Jeremy Pochman and Rob MacMillan. 11th Hour Racing’s work contributes toward the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular SDG 14, which endeavors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. The professional sailing community offers a unique platform to promote sustainability, and as a sponsor, 11th Hour Racing requires environmental leadership and the implementation of best practices to spread the message of ocean stewardship. Two of the organization’s flagship sponsorships are linked to a professional sporting event at the intersection of human adventure and world-class competition: The Ocean Race and the 11th Hour Racing Team. 11th Hour Racing believes in the power of partnerships. As discussed in this chapter, 11th Hour Racing—with Sponsorships, Grantees, and Ambassadors—has collectively made a positive difference in marine health and has engaged with millions of people to increase ocean literacy and action.
