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#16 Race Bulletin: Pre-Race Notes, Goslings Party, Roll of Honour

June 13, 2018

By Media Team


 

Hello Bermuda Race competitors and fans:

Two days to go, and today is our final day for sailors to complete registration, ending at 1600. Bermuda Border Control will be on duty to enable sailors to pre-clear customs until 1600 and again on Thursdayfrom 0800-1800.

We have two big events we hope you’ll participate in at the end of the day—the Newport Bermuda Race Beach Clean-up at 1700 and the Goslings Rum Newport Shipyard Party at 1800. The clean-up, working with local partner, Clean Ocean Access, gets going at the west end of the Sachuest Beach (Surfer’s End). Then head over to the Shipyard for the Goslings Party. (This party is for crews only; competitors, you will have received your tickets at Registration.)

We’ve included in this bulletin a series of administrative reminders. Hopefully your task list is dwindling at this point. A few important points:

  • Each vessel has an obligation to place a test call to Bermuda Race Communications on their Satellite phone prior to the race start.
  • Also, please provide your preferred “at-sea email” address in Sailgate.
  • Sailors in the St. David's Lighthouse division are reminded to adhere to RRS 52 Manual Power: "A boat's standing rigging, running rigging, spars and moveable hull appendages shall be adjusted and operated only by the power provided by the crew."
  • All boats are reminded of the need to ensure that all personal AIS systems are fully tested before departing.

Finally, please don’t miss out on any of our special silverware because you didn’t register your eligibility—that includes youth, family, and many other prizes (see details below).

Sail safely, sail swiftly,

Jonathan Brewin
2018 Newport Bermuda Race Chairman
[email protected]


1700: Beach Clean-up with Clean Ocean Access

Shore crew, sailors, and any folks in the region are invited to join a Clean Ocean Access beach cleanup on Wednesday, June 13th. All competitors are also encouraged to assist in a voluntary balloon tracking effort during the race. Learn more.

1800: Goslings Rum Newport Shipyard Party

With 48 hours to go, let’s have one big shindig before the fleet moves into full race mode. Mingle with sailors from throughout the fleet under the tent at Newport Shipyard while sampling refreshments from the Official Rum Sponsor of the Newport Bermuda Race. (Note: This party is not open to the public.)

Goslings Rum Newport Shipyard Crew Party
The 2016 Gosling's Rum Newport Shipyard Crew Party. Photo by PPL

Prospecting for Sunken Treasure

Endurance Exploration is proud to be an official sponsor of the Newport Bermuda Race. We share a kindred feeling with all Bermuda racers, seeking adventure and reward at sea! Endurance Exploration was formed in 2009 to explore the feasibility and potential return of recovering gold, silver and artifacts from historic shipwrecks. Learn more.

Pantaenius Race Tracker, Including Trackers That Tweet

Pantaenius Insurance is again our Official Race Tracking sponsor, allowing fans to follow the fleet during the race in real time. Visit the homepage to find the Tracker, beginning Friday.

Some of the trackers are “tweet-enabled” so you will see Twitter icons showing up on the tracker at different points and can click and read what these boats are reporting from their location. A note to sailors, there remain a few such trackers at Registration today if you have yet to pick up your tracker and your boat or a crewmember has an active Twitter account. Please enter your details in this form including Twitter account name, and request a “Twitter Tracker” at Registration. First come, first served. We also invite onboard bloggers to email updates from the racecourse at any time to [email protected].

Special Trophies — Don’t Miss Out on Silverware You Earn

Competitors please note that you must separately register to compete for certain special trophies. Examples are the prizes for top youth crews (the Stephens Brothers Youth Prize), top family crews (Glenn Family Prize), best foreign entry (City of Newport Prize), and Irving Pratt 3-boat Team prize. Read more and follow the registration link.

Richard S. Nye and E. Llwyd Ecclestone Join Bermuda Race Roll of Honour

Two outstanding sailors join the Roll of Honour in 2018, one who has won the race twice, and one who will be looking for No. 2 when he crosses the starting line on FridayRead more.

E.S. Ritchie Constellation compass on Black Watch
E.S. Ritchie Constellation compass aboard Black Watch

Competitor Spotlight 

A commercial shipping company has been contracted to assist captains and crews wishing to send gear, sails, etc. to Bermuda. Loading of four 20′ containers takes place today and tomorrow at Newport Yachting Center - June 13 from 0900-1700, and June 14 from 0800-1600. (Gear is expected to be available at RBYC on June 18.) Return shipping will also be available, loading on June 21 & 22 from 1000-1700 near RBYC in Bermuda with expected arrival in Portsmouth, RI (New England Boatworks) on June 26.

Space is available on a first come, first served basis as evidenced by the completion and submission of the required Bermuda Customs form. Captains must request space in containers before May 31st using the required Bermuda Customs form. The Bermuda Customs Form can be found here, and instructions to fill out the form here. The form should be printed, completed and emailed to European Ocean Freight as soon as possible, but in no event later than May 31st.

2018 Gulf Stream Analysis

An updated analysis by Frank Bohlen of the Gulf Stream’s structure and flow will be posted by Thursdaymorning. Visit the Gulf Stream Tutorials page and look for #3.

Race Registration & Bermuda Border Control at Harbour Court

Skippers:  To pre-clear your boat with Bermuda Border Control at Harbour Court in Newport you must present your official vessel documentation. (e.g., for US- flagged vessels, your US Documentation Certificate or if not documented, your state registration certificate; for foreign-flagged vessels, similar vessel documentation is required). Captains will need crew names, dates of birth, nationality and passport numbers to complete the required Bermuda Customs Clearance form. See Bermuda Border Control page.

Day, Date            Registration    Border Control

Wed, June 13      0900-1600      0830-1600

Thur, June 14     Not available    0800-1800**

** Note: Thurs. hours are new this year; Bermuda Border Control will close at 1800 hours SHARP!

Dock reservations in Bermuda

Space is limited! Please contact Royal Bermuda Yacht Club: Marina Manager Reggie Horseman [email protected] or Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club: [email protected]  (441) 236-2250 or [email protected](441) 538-0050

Exploring Bermuda via bicycles on the Railway trail, Town of St. George and Bailey Bay.

10 GREAT WAYS TO EXPLORE BERMUDA
No. 7 - Ride:  Rent a bike and explore the Bermuda Railway Trail, 18 miles of quiet trails that run the length of Bermuda. (In some sections, you’ll walk the bike over narrow bridges or across busy roads.) You can also skip the bike and walk any section instead.
Go To Bermuda!

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