Menu

Bermuda Race Entries Build

February 24, 2014

By John Rousmaniere


Newport RI, February 21, 2014— With 120 applications for entry received for the upcoming 49th Newport Bermuda Race, the race’s organizers are noting a larger than usual proportion of first-time entries as the April 1 entry deadline approaches.  More than one-fourth of the applications are from boats that have not sailed the race.  “It’s satisfying to see so many experienced sailors entering a boat in the race for the first time,” said Bermuda Race Organizing Committee Chairman Fred Deichmann.  Registration for the Bermuda Race is online at  http://BermudaRace.com. Race applications submitted after the April 1 deadline will be subject to a penalty applied to the boat’s corrected time.

Deichmann added that the race’s safety at sea seminar on March 15 at Newport is experiencing heavier than usual signup. He urged sailors to register soon at http://BermudaRace.com/entry/safety-at-sea-seminars.

Black Watch US71 (R), the 1938 restored classic wooden yawl and a class winner in 2012 now under the command of John Melvin, will return for 2014. Here she is as the 48th Newport Bermuda Race got underway with the first spinnaker start since 2004. There were 165 boats in 17 classes and 6 divisions. - 49th Newport Bermuda Race 2014 -  © Talbot Wilson
Black Watch US71 (R), the 1938 restored classic wooden yawl and a class winner in 2012 now under the command of John Melvin, will return for 2014. Here she is as the 48th Newport Bermuda Race got underway with the first spinnaker start since 2004. There were 165 boats in 17 classes and 6 divisions. - 49th Newport Bermuda Race 2014 - © Talbot Wilson

Deichmann announced that the Newport Bermuda Race will again participate in the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regatta Program.  “We are asking sailors to help the race achieve Gold Level status for the 2014 race by taking steps to protect the environment,” he said. “Sailors are deeply concerned about the health of the waters we sail in.” The race starts in the mouth of Narragansett Bay, crosses the Gulf Stream, and finishes in the fragile waters off Bermuda’s reefs.  Crews follow environmentally friendly routines according to “leave no trace” and other guidelines. For example, because a big concern is keeping plastic out of the ocean, sailors use non-disposable drinking mugs.

The 2012 Newport Bermuda Race was awarded Silver Level status by Sailors for the Sea, a non-profit organization committed to ocean stewardship. Details about the Clean Regatta program can be found on the Sailors for the Sea website.

Concerning the March 15 safety at sea seminar, Deichmann urged captains to plan ahead and determine if the crew satisfies race rules on seminar attendance, and also to send one crewmember each to Sunday’s medical and race preparation seminars. The safety seminar can be used to help fill out a crew.  Red nametags will be issued to sailors seeking a berth, and blue nametags will be worn by captains needing crew for the race or the return voyage.

'Rives Potts steers ’Carina’ to another Lighthouse Trophy for first place in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division, his second consecutive win, as his family filled crew hand out high fives after crossing the finish line in Bermuda, Newport Bermuda 2012. - 49th Newport Bermuda Race 2014'    Charles Anderson
'Rives Potts steers ’Carina’ to another Lighthouse Trophy for first place in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division, his second consecutive win, as his family filled crew hand out high fives after crossing the finish line in Bermuda, Newport Bermuda 2012. - 49th Newport Bermuda Race 2014' Charles Anderson

The roster of entries so far in the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race includes Rives Potts’ Carina, St. David’s Lighthouse Division overall winner in 2010 and 2012.  George Sakellaris’ Shockwave will attempt to defend her Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division corrected time victory in 2012, when she and Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente (also returning) dueled bow to bow before Bella Mente finished merely two minutes ahead after 41 hours of sailing.  In the Double-Handed Division, defending winner Hewitt Gaynor will return in his Mireille to match up against his longtime friendly competitor Richard du Moulin in Lora Ann.

Also competing again are the 1938 restored classic wooden yawl Black Watch, a class winner in 2012 now under the command of John Melvin, who had high finishes in previous races in his Concordia yawl Westray.  Llwyd Ecclestone, the 1998 race winner, will return with his loyal crew in Kodiak.  In 2012 they were first to finish in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division and won the Overall Performance Prize for the class winner with the largest victory margin.

More information about the race is at http://BermudaRace.com and on Facebook and Twitter.

Important dates are available on the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race calendar.

Latest Bermuda Race News


March 20, 2024

Celebrating Women’s History Month: Thora Lund Robinson and the First Bermuda Race to Today’s female skippers

In honor of Women's History Month, we shine a spotlight on a remarkable woman whose adventurous spirit and determination made history in the world of sailing. Thora Lund Robinson at age 20, aboard the yacht Gauntlet, participated in the inaugural Bermuda Race in 1906, leaving a legacy that resonates to this day.

February 21, 2024

Competitor Bulletin #5: Important Winter Deadlines and Reminders

Notices, Reminders, and Deadlines pertinent to all 2024 Competitors

February 17, 2024

Race Preparations Updates from Competitors

Photo: Courtesy of Gimple family In racing updates, as our 168 entered teams gear up for the June 21st start, we checked in with a few of them on how […]

PRESENTING SPONSORS


OFFICIAL SPONSORS


SUPPORTERS


Interested in hearing more from us?

Set your email preference for Race News, Competitor Bulletins, or our new "Captain Alerts" for potential owners interested in 2024.