Next month, entry opens for the 54th Newport Bermuda Race and throughout the spring, the Race Prep Seminar Series offered invaluable insights, hard-earned lessons, and tactical guidance for sailors at all levels. Spanning four compelling sessions hosted live on YouTube, the series was shaped by expert voices—from race veterans to technical authorities—and addressed everything from 2024 analysis and safety to sail optimization and Gulf Stream strategy. Here's a recap of the key takeaways:
1. Lessons Learned from the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race Incidents
Presented in collaboration with US Sailing
Speakers: Dick York, James Phyfe, Mark Grosby, Sheila McCurdy
The series kicked off with a review of the 2024 race incidents, including the abandonments and sinkings of Gunga Din, Alliance, and Solution. The investigative team, broken into groups focusing on abandonments and rescues at sea, structural integrity, and communication, highlighted both the effectiveness of training and the areas needing improvement.
Key Takeaways:
- Practice and preparation save lives. Thanks to Safety at Sea training and crew composure, there were no injuries among more than 25 sailors.
- High-capacity pumps should be required on offshore vessels.
- Fuel tank maintenance—inspection and cleaning—must be part of offshore prep.
Keel and rudder inspections will now be mandatory under new US Sailing and World Sailing rules. - Communication is critical. Encourage regular radio watches during Safety at Sea training, and make sure multiple crew members are trained on your satellite systems.
“The Inquiry Panel was very happy to learn that the preparation and the USSailing Safety at Sea training by all the crews allowed for successful rescues, in moderate conditions, even as the crews found themselves in unfamiliar and complex situations.” -Sheila McCurdy
2. Before It’s Too Late: Preparing Your Boat Now
Speakers: Chris Williams (North Sails), Starkweather & Shepley Insurance Team, Jon Burt (Chief Inspector)
This seminar tackled the less glamorous—but still critical—elements of offshore readiness: insurance, inspection, and sail strategy.
Insurance Insights:
- The market is tighter than ever—start early.
- Build a relationship with your broker and secure coverage at least a year in advance.
- Provide detailed sailing resumes and safety checklists to stand out.
Sail Optimization Tips:
- Evaluate your current inventory and look for dual-purpose sails to enhance performance and flexibility.
Talk to your sailmaker now about potential upgrades to close performance gaps.
“It can be a crush, that spring before the race starts, and there are some things you can do to get ahead of the process. By getting ahead of the process it will make your life a lot easier… as the crew gets ready and the time gets short.” -Jon Burt
3. Preparing your Crew: Safety at Sea & Qualifications
Speakers: Ann Nobile Kiley, Andrew Burton, Dan Litchfield
The importance of credentials and experience came into focus with a spotlight on Safety at Sea training and race qualifications.
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t wait—get certified with a World Sailing-approved Safety at Sea course (see offerings at ussailing.org).
- Sailors not yet committed to a boat are more attractive to teams with this credential.
- Experience matters. Sail more this summer with your boat and crew to build the résumé needed for race acceptance.
The Crew Dynamic: Insights from Hound
Dan Litchfield offered one of the most personal and profound sessions, breaking down what makes a great crew—and how important people are in offshore racing.
Litchfield’s Philosophy:
- Crew Categories:
- Inner Circle: Deeply involved in logistics and program direction.
- Core Group: Regulars who participate in most events.
- Newcomers: Specialists or potential long-term teammates.
- “I want my crew to be able to rescue me.” Safety is a shared responsibility.
- After each regatta, hold a crew debrief or reflection session—it provides closure and builds camaraderie.
- Never forget: we do this because it’s fun and because of the people.
“There is a culture on board that attracts great sailors, and you can’t really compromise on safety or fun. So if you create a great culture—you have fun with the crew, everyone respects each other, and you take safety seriously—then great people want to sail with you.” -Dan Litchfield
4. Gulf Stream, Weather, and Navigation Tools
Speakers: Stan Honey, Frank Bohlen, Chelsea Freas
The final session brought together titans of navigation and meteorology to dissect how to study the Gulf Stream, select forecast models, and develop a navigation plan.
Key Takeaways:
- Start studying now. Don’t wait until race week to get familiar with routing and forecasting.
- Use tools like Frank Bohlen’s Gulf Stream Primer (now on our website) and Chelsea Freas’ Free Weather Resource Library at sea-tactics.com.
- Try a mock routing exercise in June using historical data, especially around the Bermuda High and frontal patterns.
- Stan Honey emphasized always having a “free-advance course”—ask yourself, “Where would I go right now if I could?”
- When comparing models: “If RTOFS and Mercator agree, believe them. If they disagree, dig deeper.”
- Honey also addressed F-TCF scoring: it simplifies time allowance comparisons and enhances tactical decision-making without affecting overall race strategy.
- Lastly, a reminder: Starlink may enable connectivity, but no outside assistance is allowed per Racing Rules. Cloud-based routing is prohibited—seamanship matters.
“As we are thinking about routing, it’s very important to remember that the Gulf Stream is a weather breeder. It provides a great source of warm, moist air—which is the gasoline of the atmospheric heat engine.” -Frank Bohlen
Looking Ahead
The 2024 Race Prep Seminar Series was a remarkable gathering of knowledge, insight, and camaraderie. Whether it was technical guidance or philosophical perspective, the unifying message was clear: offshore success depends on preparation, practice, and people.
We’re looking forward to bringing the community together again this fall for deeper dives on these critical topics. Until then—go sailing, train hard, and enjoy the journey.
There will be a final webinar June 18 going over the details of the Notice of Race, NBR Safety Requirements, and Entry System and the pitfalls that trip up sailors.
