Schooner Virginia is racing—virtually—and we need your support! Help us cross the finish line as only Virginia can, with all eight sails filled, to meet or exceed $5,000 in support of the Schooner Virginia’s preservation, educational programs, and participation in community events.

The last year has been busy! Virginia completed critical maintenance in Mystic, CT and returned to compete in, and win, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race in October. A growing group of dedicated volunteers helped the professional crew complete maintenance and upgrades over the winter, then uprigging and training sails were completed in May. In June, Schooner Virginia was the third vessel in an amazing parade of international tall ships in Norfolk at the start of Sail250 celebrations. Thousands of visitors toured the decks of Virginia and learned about our history and mission. Currently Schooner Virginia is focused on education sails and other Nauticus programming and will again compete in the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race from Baltimore to Norfolk this October.

The Schooner Virginia serves as a vital education platform for the Nauticus Foundation, engaging the Hampton Roads community through transformative maritime and hands-on learning experiences for students of all backgrounds and ages, museum visitors, and the general public. Your financial support helps ensure she will have a new awning, so vital on hot summer days, and maintenance she requires in the Mystic, CT boat yard again next year. Our goal is for her to be stronger than ever and ready to serve the community through hands-on sailing experiences for students, public outreach programs, and more.

Every gift helps keep Virginia sailing—thank you for being part of the crew!

Welcome to the 2026 Virtual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race!

While normal sailboat racing happens on the water, this race is completely online. Each participating schooner has teamed up with a nonprofit partner, and is racing to raise as much money as possible for their charity. YOU can participate in the race by choosing a schooner, making a contribution, and sharing this webpage with your family and friends!  90% of gifts will go directly to the charity of your choice. The other 10% will help the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race achieve its mission to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. 

Please take a moment to learn more about our schooners and the organizations they support. At the start of the race, please come back here to make a donation and support your team!

Donation links will be available from 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 12 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 15. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note:  GCBSR will only share your contact information with the charity you donated to.