"Make your life easier between now and June by entering early—as 139 boats already have."


Dear Sailors:

We’re approaching the winter solstice, but according to the Notice of Race, there are fewer than 200 days until the Newport Bermuda Race starts on June 19, 2020. Our commitment is to make race participation simpler for competitors, and the best way of doing so is to help you get headed for the starting line early.
 
With 139 boats on the entry list to date, we know that many of you are believers already! If your boat isn’t on the list, don’t delay; log into the SailGate entry system, fill out the form and pay your deposit by December 20. You’ll beat the entry-fee increase that kicks in on the 21^st and you’ll still have a full six months to prepare your boat, crew, logistics and yourself.
 
For those of you already entered, please build out your crew list in SailGate as fully as possible. Once you do, each crewmember will receive an invitation to create and/or link their account with your yacht and be encouraged to make sure their World Sailing Classification is up to date. Start this process early, and you’ll have fewer crewmembers to chase next spring.
 
At least as important, have you and your crew taken the “International Offshore Safety at Sea course with Hands-on Training” or made sure your certification is up to date? Please review the safety training reminder below if you’re not sure.

I also want to recommend the Offshore Medical Seminar being taught by our long-time advisor Jeff Wisch, M.D. and his colleague David Schoenfeld, M.D. on March 15^th in Bristol, R.I. Read our post about this and consider if you or your vessel’s medical officer should be in attendance.
 
I’d like to give a big shout-out to McMichael Yacht Yards and Brokers for signing on as an official sponsor of the 2020 Race. With two yards in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and sales offices also in Newport and Huntington, Long Island, McMichael has been supporting Bermuda racers for more than 80 years. Please consider giving this experienced outfit your business in return.
 
Let me close by offering best wishes for you, your families and crews over the holidays—and don’t miss the seasonal specials in the notes below!
 
Fair winds,

Jay Gowell
Chairman
2020 Newport Bermuda Race
[email protected]

Important Safety Training Reminder
Have you taken the “International Offshore Safety at Sea course with Hands-on Training” yet? Every skipper and at least 30 percent of the rest of the crew must earn the Hands-On certificate. Check out the rules and schedule of courses. The Cruising Club of America and other organizations have multiple courses before the race, but the CCA's January 11 course is already full and the other dates are filling quickly. Remember that the one-day classroom-only course no longer meets the race requirements for Safety at Sea training. Also note that for the Newport Bermuda Race only, your Safety at Sea certification is good for 3 consecutive races after you complete the training, even if that is greater than 5 years. For example, a sailor that took a course in November 2014 would meet the training requirements for the 2016, 2018, and 2020 Newport Bermuda Races. Within a week of when a crewmember registers for the race, we will review their Safety at Sea status and notify them if there are any issues. Have your crew register as soon as possible!
 
Newport Bermuda Holiday Offers
Start your holiday shopping by ordering from Helly Hansen Newport, our 2020 official gear supplier—use coupon code NBR2020 for 20% off your online purchases. To pre-order custom Newport Bermuda Race crew gear for January delivery, email Meghan.

Seahorse, the international offshore racing magazine, are pleased to offer a very special rate for skippers wanting to gift subscriptions to their crew this holiday - email Liz at Seahorse for details. Or buy single subscriptions at a discounted rate through this link.  A percentage of all subscriptions help us promote the race.