St.George's Dinghy and Sports Club member Bjorn Johnson was yesterday appointed as chairman of the 2010 Newport to Bermuda Race after predecessor Richard Shulman resigned due to work and personal commitments.

Johnson has been an inspector for the Newport to Bermuda Race since 2001 and was chief Inspector and a member of the Bermuda Race Organszing Committee for the centennial race in 2006.

"My goals for the 2010 race are to carry on the traditions of the race and give a more centralised focus in downtown Newport for the start. Most of all, my main goal is to keep the event fun and safe for all who participate," he declared.

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) commodore Ralph Richardson, added: "The RBYC and Bermuda team are looking forward to working with Bjorn."

Johnson is an accomplished one-design sailor in the Lightning, Star, J-24 and J-105 classes and a big fan of local racing conditions in Bermuda.

"My favourite offshore place to race to is Bermuda. I find the changing Gulf Stream and weather conditions make it one of the most challenging of races," he said. "To arrive at the tropical Island of Bermuda is just the icing on the cake. Having sailed to Bermuda as a competitor so many times gives me a good feel for what the average sailor is looking for in the event."