Newport, R.I., USA (September 18, 2008) – The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee – made up of members from the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club – today announced the appointment of Bjorn Johnson (Red Bank, N.J.) as the new chairman for the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race. Johnson will replace Richard Shulman (Barrington, R.I.) who has stepped down due to demands from his medical practice and personal obligations.

“We thank Richie for his enthusiasm and his energy in setting the Newport Bermuda Race on course for yet another successful running in 2010,” said Cruising Club of America Commodore Ross Sherbrooke (Boston, Mass.). “He will continue to be a valuable volunteer for the next race. Thanks to the scores of volunteers, such as Richie, at both ends of the course, the past Newport Bermuda Races have been very successful with large fleets, fair competition, and crews prepared for the conditions.”

Commodore Ralph Richardson of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club said, “The RBYC and Bermuda team are looking forward to working with Bjorn.”

Upon acceptance of his new role, Johnson said, “My goals for the 2010 race are to carry on the traditions of the race and give a more centralized focus in downtown Newport for the start.  Most of all, my main goal is to keep the event fun and safe for all who participate.”

Johnson took to sailing from an early age on Raritan Bay, N.J., and joined his first offshore race at age 13 serving as onboard cook due in large part to his resistance to seasickness. An accomplished one-design sailor in the Lightning, Star, J/24 and J/105 classes, Johnson participated in many SORC events during the 1980s. His offshore record is equally impressive with two Marion to Bermuda Races, three Marblehead to Halifax Races, nine Bermuda 1-2s (single-handed to Bermuda, double-handed return to Newport), and 10 Newport Bermuda Races, where he placed third in division in 1994 and 2008. Since 1996, he has participated in the double-handed division of the race.

“My favorite offshore place to race to is Bermuda,” said Johnson. “I find the changing Gulf Stream and weather conditions make it one of the most challenging of races, and to arrive at the tropical island of Bermuda is just the icing on the cake.  Having sailed to Bermuda as a competitor so many times gives me a good feel for what the average sailor is looking for in the event.”

Johnson has been an inspector for the race since 2001 and was the Chief Inspector and a member of the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee for the centennial race in 2006 (which had 263 starters) and the 2008 race (198 starters). He is a member of the Cruising Club of America, the Storm Trysail Club, the New York Yacht Club, the Atlantic Highlands (N.J.) Yacht Club, the Saint George’s Dinghy and Sports Club (Bermuda), and the United States Sailing Association.

The 2010 Newport Bermuda Race starts on June 18, 2010.