San Diego, California -- The Disabled Businesspersons Association (DBA), at San Diego State University - Interwork Institute, recently received the donation of a Tripp 40 sailboat for use in its "Challenged America" sailing program for individuals with disabilities and professionals in recreational rehabilitation and therapy.

"We are excited to receive such a wonderful gift," said Urban Miyares, president of the San Diego-based charitable organization, and blinded Vietnam veteran. "Challenged America was first conceived by four military veterans in 1990, and has introduced many individuals with significant disabilities to sailing as an enhancement to their rehabilitation, towards building self-esteem and integration back into the community and the work force. This donation expands our program tremendously...allowing us to provide free learn-to-sail and advanced sailing opportunity and experiences, as well as educational programs to so many more."

The Tripp 40 was donated by Brian and Suzanne Hull of Coronado Cays, California. In seeking a charitable cause to receive their donation, their requirements were that the charity would use and directly benefit, rather than sell the gift. The Disabled Businesspersons Association and its free Challenged America sailing program for people with disabilities, met their parameters. The boat will be berthed at the Shelter Cove Marina, America's Cup Harbor, in San Diego, California.

"We've named the boat B'Quest, and will use her extensively for educational and rehabilitation purposes, as well as to develop and test new designs and modifications in sailboat adaptations to enhance the safety and performance of sailors with disabilities," Miyares said. "B'Quest will be highly visible in San Diego bay, as well as a competitive entry in many offshore sailing and racing events in Southern California. We intend to take rehabilitation to the next level, by having sailors with disabilities crew in traditional racing events, in a high-performance racing sailboat."

With a crew consisting of both persons with disabilities and able-bodied sailors, B'Quest will take her first sea trial (with a crew of ten to twelve) in the "Newport-Ensenada Race" (Newport, California to Ensenada, Mexico) on April 26, 2002 in preparation for her June start in the "Gateway To Hawaii" Ocean Race -- the longest West Coast to Hawaii ocean race, from San Diego to Kauai, Hawaii, covering more than 2,323 nautical miles (www.gatewaytohawaii.org). A crew of eight, including four having significant disabilities (e.g., quadriplegia, paraplegia, blindness, hearing impairment, diabetes, etc.), will race B'Quest in the "Gateway To Hawaii" Race.

The DBA's Challenged America program is a collaboration with the American Institute of Marine Studies (AIMS), based on Shelter Island, California. Both public benefit corporations, their fleet of sailboats include Martin 16s, Cal 29, and now B'Quest (a Tripp 40). Funding for the volunteer-based Challenged America program comes from individual and corporate donations, bequests, and sponsorship.

For additional information on the Disabled Businesspersons Association, its Challenged America program and entry in the Race To Hawaii, contact Urban Miyares, president, Disabled Businesspersons Association, c/o San Diego State University - Interwork Institute, 3590 Camino Del Rio North, Suite 117, San Diego, California, 92108-1716, (619) 594-8805, E-mail urban@disabledbusiness.com.