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Schooner Virginia Takes First in Class in the 2025 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race

October 21, 2025

(Norfolk, VA) — Schooner Virginia sailed to victory this past weekend in the 2025 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, taking first place in the AA Class after corrected time.

The 130-nautical-mile course from Annapolis to Thimble Shoals Light was anything but calm — with gusting winds exceeding 20 knots, intense overnight maneuvering, and an incredible finish just one minute and fifty seconds behind Pride of Baltimore II across the line.

Because each vessel’s rigging and design span more than a century of sailing evolution, the official standings are adjusted for fairness — and when the numbers were tallied, Virginia claimed the top spot.

“It was a thrilling race from start to finish,” said Michael Fiorentino, Captain of Schooner Virginia. “Our volunteer crew worked tirelessly through the night, demonstrating incredible skill, teamwork, and dedication. We’re honored to represent Norfolk and proud to bring home the win!”

An asset of the Nauticus Foundation, Schooner Virginia is vital education platform to engage the Hampton Roads community with a focus on delivering transformative maritime and hands on learning to students of all backgrounds and ages, museum visitors and the general public. The Schooner Virginia’s programming emphasizes STEM education, maritime history, tall ship training, workforce development and the conservation of our local waterways. This victory not only highlights the skill and dedication of her captain and crew but also reinforces the Nauticus Foundation’s mission to celebrate and preserve our maritime heritage.

About Nauticus

Nauticus is a maritime discovery center located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, VA, offering a unique form of experiential learning for all ages. Through interactive exhibits and STEM to Stern programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, sailing center, and Schooner Virginiato tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military. The Nauticus Foundation is the nonprofit, 501©3 that supports the mission and activities of Nauticus. Nauticus’ mission is to benefit the community through education, impactful experiences, and sharing access to maritime resources. For more information, visit www.nauticus.org.

Life Afloat: Stewardship and Connection at Sea

October 21, 2025

By Ruthann — Chief Mate / Relief Captain, Schooner VIRGINIA

When you work on the water, you can’t help but be aware of how everything is connected. The earth truly is a closed system — what happens in one place ripples outward, influencing everything else. A low-pressure system forming off the coast of West Africa can alter our sailing schedule here in Norfolk. Warming waters far to the south can send a wayward animal north, crossing my path for a brief, magical moment.

Sometimes I look out across the horizon and imagine another mariner, on another shore, looking back toward me. Between us stretches miles upon miles of water — a living, breathing expanse filled with creatures big and small, and with the invisible forces that shape our world.

Tall ships are a gateway to understanding this global connection. We rely on nature to move — the wind to fill our sails, the sea to carry us. Our resources are limited, so we learn to conserve. Any waste we produce stays with us until we return to shore. Life aboard a tall ship is an exercise in cooperation and mindfulness. It teaches us, on a small scale, how to live responsibly on a large one.

The ocean may seem vast and empty, but it’s surprisingly busy. Roughly 80% of all goods traded around the world are moved by sea. Alongside the merchant ships are research vessels, fishing fleets, naval ships, and private boats — all part of a bustling, interconnected maritime community.

I’ve watched many shipmates go on to careers in other corners of the maritime industry after cutting their teeth on tall ships. I’ve also seen seasoned mariners return to vessels like VIRGINIA, drawn by the sense of tradition and the opportunity to share their knowledge and love for the ocean.

So many people make their living — or find their joy — because of the ocean. To keep enjoying those gifts, we have a responsibility to be good stewards. On VIRGINIA, we take that obligation seriously. We follow environmental regulations not only because organizations like the IMO and UN require them, but because we genuinely care about our impact.

As Chief Mate, I see it as my duty to pass that sense of care forward — to every crewmember, volunteer, student, and passenger who comes aboard. My hope is that they leave VIRGINIA with something more than a memory of their time at sea: a deeper appreciation for our ocean, our shared responsibility, and the intricate connections that bind us all.