Special Olympics athletes to join yacht race this year

Three decades ago, a group of students from St. Mary?s College of Maryland decided it would be fun to race sailboats from the current state capital in Annapolis to the original state capital in St. Mary?s City.

Thirty-three years later, the 2006 Governor?s Cup Yacht Race, still organized by St. Mary?s College, will kick off Friday at 6 p.m. from the Annapolis harbor. The sailors will arrive sometime early Saturday morning, 70 miles farther down the Chesapeake, on the banks of the St. Mary?s River, in sight of the small school with the rich sailing tradition. Nearly 160 yachts are expected to start this year?s race.