Chairman’s Update:
Last weekend, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee met in Newport for a planning update as we began the final countdown to the race—94 days from today. I’m pleased to report that we have 180 entry applications to date and appear likely to have a similar number of entries to the 2016 race.
As always, safety was very much top of mind, with fully subscribed classroom and hands-on safety at sea seminars also held over the weekend, hosted by the Cruising Club of America. In this Race Bulletin, we bring to your attention that registration is open for an additional seminar on June 13 in Newport, two days before the race, and we encourage you to not only meet the training requirements for your race crew but to train as many of your return delivery crew as possible—a point Sheila McCurdy makes effectively in her Preparation story in this issue, below.
Speaking of crew, if you have an opening on your roster, check the excellent Crew-Finder on our website. Our Media Team may also have available an experienced sailor/onboard reporter—a capable hand in the crew who would also report the story of your race.
Lastly, two reminders: 1) please check the shipping and logistics section of the website if you’d like to send spare gear, sails, etc., to Bermuda and 2) don’t forget to arrange dockage for your vessel in Bermuda (see contact info below).
Jonathan Brewin
2018 Newport Bermuda Race Chairman
[email protected]
Safety at Sea Seminar Now Available in Newport, June 13
The Cruising Club of America will offer a seminar two days before the Newport Bermuda Race start to ensure entrants receive required safety training. Race rules require that 30 percent of each crew complete vital safety training. That requirement, combined with a rising demand for safety training generally, has maxed out seminar capacity and prompted the Cruising Club of America to open additional capacity with a Safety at Sea Seminar in Newport, R.I., on June 13, 2018. Read more.
Round-Trip Preparation, Bermuda and Back
For those racing from Newport to Bermuda or joining a return-trip crew, Sheila McCurdy explains the importance of a pre-race safety at sea seminar for crew going in either direction and provides a road map for making each crew responsible in different safety areas. Read more.
Offshore Racing Rule Performance Guide
Best-practice tips in preparing to race the Newport Bermuda Race under the Offshore Racing Rule. Bjorn Johnson offers measurement and performance optimization tips for sailing teams looking to get the most out of the Race. Read more.
Dock reservations in BermudaSpace is limited; please contact Royal Bermuda Yacht Club or Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club early. RBYC: Marina Manager Reggie Horseman [email protected] or RHADC: [email protected] (441) 236-2250 or [email protected] (441) 538-0050
Merlin - Newport Bermuda Spotlight
His name is Merlin, the boat’s name is Merlin, so he had to have it. The story of how Chip Merlin bought the Transpac Race trend-setting, record-setting Bill Lee design to sail in the 2018 Newport Bermuda Race is almost that simple. Read more.
