March Newsletter – Application Deadline Approaching Fast

The classic Dorade and a crowd of newer boats speed off the start line in 2012. (Daniel Forster PPL)

Application Deadline ~ 1 Week away

Applications for Entry are due by 1700 hours, April 1, after which applicants may incur a time penalty.  To date, 161 boats have filed Applications for Entry.  Many boats long identified with the race are coming back, and there is an enthusiastic response from first-time skippers, who make up 20 percent of the total.  New boats, some with experienced Bermuda Race skippers, constitute nearly 30% of the fleet.

The entry process begins in the race entry portal on the race web site. A complete guide to entry, race documents and requirementsand an extensive FAQ, may all be found under the “Entry” section of BermudaRace.com.  First-time skippers may wish to take advantage of our Ambassador program. For information, see http://bermudarace.com/race/your-first-bermuda-race/

The 49th Newport Bermuda Race promises once again to be a highly competitive Thrash to the Onion Patch.  Don’t miss the opportunity to join us on the starting line at Castle Hill on Friday, June 20th

Expanded Onion Patch Series

The traditional Onion Patch Series races are scored under IRC, so only Newport Bermuda’s Gibbs Hill and St. David’s Divisions IRC entries may compete for those prizes. For 2014, organizers have added a new, more relaxed Navigators Race to both the NYYC Annual Regatta and the RBYC Anniversary Regatta for the 25th running of the Onion Patch using ORR scoring. All yachts in the Newport Bermuda Race, which uses ORR scoring for all divisions, will be eligible.

The new Navigators Race Series will allow those skippers not interested in racing intense windward-leeward courses in the New York Yacht Club 160th Annual Regatta or not interested in racing on a Great Sound course with the grand prix racers in the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club’s Anniversary Regatta to sail separate scenic and fun “round the buoys” races in their own series.

All yachts racing in the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race are invited to compete in this inaugural three-event Onion Patch Navigators Race Series. For further information about this change, see http://www.onionpatchseries.com/.

Safety at Sea – make up session

For those who may have missed the March 15th & 16th Safety Weekend in Newport: A US Sailing-sanctioned Safety at Sea Seminar, hosted by the Cruising Club of America, is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in Newport RI. This one-day event will focus on near shore and ocean racing and cruising. The seminar will satisfy the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race requirements. Ron Trossbach will be the seminar moderator. For further information contact safety@bermudarace.com.

Offshore Racing Opportunities

Upon return from the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race®, blue water sailors who wish to extend their offshore racing season should consider the Corinthians Ocean Race (Stonington to Boothbay Harbor) starting July 25, 2014 at Stonington, CT.  For information, see http://stoningtontoboothbayharbor.com/

Blue water sailors may also wish to consider the Transatlantic Race in the summer of 2015. This race is open to suitably equipped and crewed yachts of 40′ or more.  For further information, see www.transatlanticrace.org.

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