Wendy Schmidt, the philanthropist who donated $100,000 to ocean research

“I don’t compete in sailing just to win a trophy. I compete to win, and to use our moment in the spotlight to encourage everyone who loves sailing to join us in saving the oceans.” This is how you commented on his victory at the Barcolana 54 Wendy Schmidt, first woman and first American to win the largest sailing regatta in the world. Indeed Schmidt has announced that she will support the educational and conservation activities of the Marine Biodiversity (BioMa)in the Marine Protected Area of ​​Miramare managed by WWF Italywith a donation of $100,000.

Wendy Schmidt, who also received the Generali “Women in Sailing” trophy, is co-founder of several philanthropic organizations concerned with ocean health. These include 11th Hour Racing, based in Newport, Rhode Island, USA, which works specifically with the sailing and marine industry and coastal communities to promote sustainable solutions and practices. “All my life I have seen the ocean under attack, with overfishing, industrial pollution, plastics and waste. We can do better,” said the president and co-founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation with her husband Eric, co-founder by Google. “We hope everyone joins in the work we do with 11th Hour Racing to support the world’s most essential resource.”

Given Schmidt’s philanthropy focused on ocean health, the Schmidt Family Foundation will award a grant to support the activities of the Marine Biodiversity (BioMa), an environmental study center that offers visitors an immersive experience in the Gulf of Trieste and the Miramare Protected Marina, which extends for 30 hectares. The grant will support BioMa’s educational work on the importance of protecting the region’s marine biodiversity. “Your beautiful city of Trieste was a place of inspiration for us when we came here for the Barcolana,” said Schmidt. “Our grant will support BioMa’s work to connect people to the marine world so they can understand, love and protect it.”

In October, Schmidt led his team aboard Deep Blue to victory in the Barcolana 54 against a fleet of 1,614 boats in Trieste, also securing the Generali “Women in Sailing” Trophy. Deep Blue finished the 13 nautical mile course in 57 minutes and 47 seconds – just under a minute ahead of the next boat.