(Newport, RI) - The two ex-J/24 World Champions were awarded for their contribution to sailing in Rhode Island. Newport's sibling sailing luminaries, Ken and Brad Read, were honored this past Sunday by the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association with the organizations inaugural "Anchor Award". It's been a busy year for the two brothers, who grew up in Seekonk, Massachusetts and learned to sail at the Barrington YC. Ken Read, a two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, five-time J/24 World Champion and former America's Cup helmsman sailing on Dennis Conner's STARS & STRIPES Team, recently returned home to Rhode Island after skippering PUMA Ocean Racing's MAR MOSTRO to a third place overall and to a first in the Inshore Series of the Volvo Ocean Race.
Not to be outdone, Brad Read, the Executive Director of SailNewport, also a two-time J/24 World Champion, led the state's effort to host the recent America's Cup World Series as the Chair of the state's America's Cup World Series Host Committee.
Both brothers, who were standouts at Boston University where they earned "College Sailor of the Year" Awards, were lauded for their respective contributions to the state's marine industry.
