Dear Sailors:

Earlier this week, we addressed the outbreak of COVID-19 and the cancellation of several safety-training courses and subsequent amendment of our race training requirements. If you missed it, see No. 8 Competitor Bulletin.
 
In response to emails from several of you, my message today is that, at this moment, the race is still on. We are monitoring the COVID 19 situation carefully and while we can’t know its future evolution, we are considering contingency plans such as limiting large group activities. As in 2018, we plan to live-stream the Captains meeting and also will provide a means for competitors to send text questions to the presenters.
 
Beyond that, I am continuing to work to get my own boat ready for the race, have made my own travel and hotel reservations in Bermuda, and my race crew and return crew are making their travel and lodging arrangements. We look forward to yet another “Thrash to the Onion Patch” and the beauty of Bermuda on arrival.
 
Our organizing committee will communicate with you regularly in the weeks ahead as we navigate this uncertain time together.

Fair winds!

Jay Gowell
Chairman
2020 Newport Bermuda Race
[email protected]