Kenny Read of
Il Mostro
(Puma) (Open Division)
“I did my first Bermuda Race when I was seventeen, so I think that puts my count up to 12 of these races (?!?). This is an ocean racing classic. I remember the good old days where I used to be a bit nervous heading out into the ocean and the great unknown. This is really just a bit more than a day race for us. The boat is fast and we’re pushing to get down to the finish as quick as possible.”
Il Mostro (Puma) (Right) and Genuine Risk (Left) as the New York Yacht Club Race Committee looks on
at the race start.
From
Roy Greenwald,
Cordelia
(Double-Handed Division)
1800, Saturday,
about 120 miles south of Newport. Winds south at 10 to 12 knots.
It’s been a variable and hot day. Poor Gail had the 6 AM to noon watch, when we had 0 knots of wind for about 4 hour. . .
not 1 to 2, but zero. Fortunately we had about a 0.4 knot favorable current, so at least we were drifting the right way. The sun was hot and bright. I took over at noon and at about 1500 some wind finally filled in at about 10 knots. Naturally, it was from the totally wrong direction to help get us to our Gulf Stream entry point. Gail put together a good plan for us, but executing the plan is going to be a real challenge. I hope we get to Bermuda by Christmas.
Cordelia at the start of the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race. When the winds are inconsistent, it’s much more work. We tried a few sail changes, but nothing really helps when there is virtually no wind. So, we’re back to our basic main, staysail, and genoa. We have had some fun distractions during the day. We saw a couple of whales, a couple of large ships, and one shark that was cruising the surface. During my watch I managed to catch some wind finally. It wasn’t enough to really make much progress, but it kept the sails from banging. We call that type of watch a good “sleeping watch” because it isn’t good for much else.
Also during the day we passed several large naval vessels, which turned out to be British. There was a helicopter flying around, which we learned later over the radio was to screen the area because they were doing some live shelling practice. Nice! (Don’t worry, we ducked).
We just finished a great lasagna for dinner and it’s now my turn to catch some sleep. Ever try that with a stomach full of lasagna? Not gonna happen. Hence the email.
From American Girl
(St. David’s Light Division)
Friday night.
We've had a nearly perfect first seven hours or so, and have settled into our offshore routines. The Port Watch is on duty now, and Starboard is enjoying some well-earned rest after six hours of all hands. Nothing has disappointed so far: the adrenaline rush of a 13-boat class start, perfect afternoon breezes under clear, sunny skies, one of the best boat dinners I've ever had, and a truly spectacular sunset.
Now the hard work begins. As the breezes get lighter and the night gets chilly, bodies get tired, but we all have to stay focused: distance races are won or lost at night. Thank you all for the support and well-wishes! . . . .
Saturday morning.
At approx 0400 June 19 in very light winds we ran afoul of a long line fishing system. These are very long (up to a mile) lines strung between floating buoys. These buoys are not lighted and without a moon it is very dark out here and you cannot see them till you are Right on top of them. Soooo.... we caught our keel on one. After a few minutes of evaluating the system it was decided that it would take a swimmer to untangle us. Miles quickly volunteered, stripped down naked and jumped into the 60 degree water. A few minutes later we were free of the lines and sailing along. With Miles of course.
Thankful for light winds at the time of the incident we lost little time compared to what could have been a race losing scenario. We will have to continue to sail well to make up for lost time but we are confident that we can do just that. . . .
Saturday night.
Good evening from your ship at sea. 25 hours into the race and we have already had quite an adventure. We are currently trying to stay in a favorable eddy, which is a part of the Gulf Stream but not the Actual Gulf Stream itself.
It’s quite a challenge consisting of tacking back and forth against the wind and taking sea water temperatures till we find the “sweet spot.” We hope to enter the main body of the Gulf Stream early tomorrow morning for a nice favorable current ride toward Bermuda.
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