Non-Schooner Invitational Class Bennu is a 1980 Cherubini 44 Ketch, designed by John Cherubini in the early 1970's and built in Delran NJ. She is a smaller sistership to the other Cherubini Schooner entries and is honored to be included in the new nonschooner invitational class. Bennu is a well-traveled boat: she has sailed all over the world, including a full circumnavigation of the globe. Team captain Julianne DeGraw Fettus acquired her after spending 2019 crewing for the previous owner, getting her ready for the 2020 Annapolis to Bermuda Race. Over the past few seasons, Bennu has competed in the Annapolis to Newport Race, cruised around New England and Cape Cod, and enjoyed her home waters of the Chesapeake Bay, from Turkey Point down to Hampton.

This year, Bennu is sailing on behalf of the Severn River Association. Severn River Association has a mission to connect the people who live, work, and play on the Severn River to restore and protect it for all our communities. Their vision is to have a thriving Severn River by 2050, and they work towards their goal through programs upland, on the shoreline, and in the water. From stormwater mitigation to oyster reefs, advocacy to water quality monitoring, Severn River Association is working toward a cleaner, brighter future for the Severn and its many diverse groups.