6/27/2016
Greetings, Sailing Friends and Family!
Apologies for being delinquent in race reports, but here is a final wrap up.
As most of you already know, the weather forecasts were a little unsettling before the start. The pre-race advisory warned that the cut-off low pressure system facing us had potential for turning into a tropical storm. A wave of panic went through the fleet, with around 50 boats not starting in the end. We seriously contemplated withdrawing. We did start, re-evaluating the weather every 6 hours, with a go-no go decision for the next day. Every forecast improved; in the end, it was actually one of the most pleasant passages to Bermuda ever. We did have a period of winds in the 30’s, maxing out at 36K, with somewhat lumpy seas in theGulf Stream. We had full moon, Summer Solstice clear nights; sailed in the moonlight with spinnaker up, at one point a whale swimming alongside of us. Very magical!
I have to give lots of kudos to skipper/owner Zach Lee. This was his first race, and he prepared the already fast Yankee Girl meticulously. Then he sailed very hard, constantly trimming and hand staring to optimize speed. We were spurred on by Jonathan Green, on Jeroboam; at first he was dogging our heels, then we his. Knowing that he was in the neighborhood re-assured us that we were making good tactical decisions. And it kept us sailing hard.
Other boats of note: while most of the professional boats did not start, 100 foot super-maxi Comanche did and took line honors, finishing in 34 hours, 42 minute and 53 seconds, for an average speed of 18 knots. For you non-sailors, that is very fast! She was quite a site to see.
First to finish after Comanche was High Noon, a Trip 42, sailed by a team of 7 teenagers, with 3 adult coaches. They were part of the Young American Junior Big Boat Sailing Team (Young American Junior Big Boat Sailing team @youngamericanbigboat), volunteer and donation supported. These young men and women spent 4 years training and preparing for this event, and in the end beat some of the best sailors on at least the US East Coast. Support the future of ocean racing!
We were of course very pleased to find out that, in the end, we won our double-handed class as well as the overall first-place double-handed Philip S. Weld Moxie Trophy.
Until the next time-
Gust
6/22/2016
Safe arrival, first in double-handed class. A little wobbly at this point. Land legs vs. Dark & Stormies?
6/17/2016
Greetings, Sailing friends and family – A few hours before the start of the race, we are faced with the reality that there is a low in the way of getting to Bermuda (that translates into a gale), which will produce at the least unpleasant conditions for the race.
We are awaiting final weather briefings, but our intention is to start the race, sail overnight to at least get some offshore time, and make a final go/no go decision in the morning. So if you see us turning around, you will know why- not an emergency!
Fair winds to all, Gust
6/10/2016
Greetings, sailing friends and family – While trying to attach this photo training aboard YANKEE GIRL, I accidentally sent it off without any text. Forgive the duplication and confusion! I am still here in Maine.
While Bluebird waits jealously on her mooring in Rockland, I will be racing to Bermuda, starting next Friday, June 17, aboard YANKEE GIRL, formerly NEXT BOAT, a turbo’d up version of Bluebird with taller carbon fiber mast, deep keel, generally optimized for the race. I am going double handed with skipper Zach Lee, who has done a great job of getting her ready for the race. This will be my 10th Bermuda Race, 18th if I count returns. I get to fly home this time!
The race is 635 nautical miles, starting in the cold waters of New England, crossing the usually turbulent waters of the Gulf Stream, and ending in beautiful Bermuda. It usually takes about 5 days.
This is the 50th running of the Newport-Bermuda race. There will be around 200 boats in the race, divided into various classes- Cruiser/racer, cruisers, open division, classic boats and finally double handed. At this point, there are only 18 boats in the double-handed division.
The race can be followed from the website www.bermudarace.com. There will be links to yellow brick tracking, so that you can follow individual boats (there is a 4 hour delay to prevent competitors from tracking each other too closely). There will be live commentary and reporting.
Remember that, when comparing us to the fleet, we are only competing within the double-handed fleet, and every boat has an individual handicap, to correct the final race time. Boats to watch: lots of amazing boats in this fleet, but 100 foot, professionally crewed Commanche should certainly arrive to Bermuda first. In the double handed fleet (which, by the way, starts last) I would watch Jonathan Green (Hi Jonathan!) on JEROBOAM. Two years ago, he danced through the fleet, finished first, cleared customs, dropped off his crew, then sailed back to Boston single handed in time for work on Monday. A high notch to compete against!
I don’t think I will be sending reports under way, but hopefully a wrap up at the end.
Cheers to all,
Gust