Photo: Courtesy of Gimple family
In racing updates, as our 168 entered teams gear up for the June 21st start, we checked in with a few of them on how their preparations are going:
Matt and Tori Gimple, who attended the Sail Newport Challenger Series lecture on the Bermuda Race last month, told us about rheir “family winch servicing party” onboard Banter, their new Archambault 40RC, over Christmas. Their daughters, Lindsay and Megan, who were part of the youth entry Dreamcatcher in 2018, joined in the festivities.
Jesse Terry, skipper of Abigail, an Alden 39, has been rallying his crew for winter work in the shed, focusing on repairs, inspections, and servicing. Additionally, they're putting effort into making sure the “paint and varnish shine in the Bermuda Sun at RYBC.”
Nick Carter, bringing his Beneteau First 40, Legacy, from Delaware for their first Newport to Bermuda Race, shares their recent journey to the starting line in his bio on the Entry List. After extensive upgrades, they took on the Annapolis to Bermuda Race in 2022, faced challenging conditions, and sailed back to Lewes through a storm. In 2023, they tackled the infamous Annapolis to Newport Race where they were among the half of competitors that returned due to deteriorating conditions. Now, equipped with a new set of North Sails, they are “eager for another offshore adventure.”
H.L. DeVore, is set to embark on the Bermuda Race aboard his J/44 Frolic, formerly known as Glory, which had a distinguished history of almost two decades with the United States Coast Guard Academy participating in numerous Bermuda Races. Frolic is undergoing significant refit to compete not only in the Finisterre Class but also for a Transatlantic voyage to the Mediterranean Sea. Following the completion of the Race, the crew will continue to the Azores, Lisbon, and Gibraltar.
Speaking of the USCGA, they have recently acquired the Mills 43, Cool Breeze, and these college sailors are already busy competing in regattas all over the country. They finished second in the J/105 class last weekend in Charleston and head out to California next month for the Harbor Cup.
To share your Race Preparations with us, feel free to update your bio in the Entry System or drop us an email at [email protected]. Remember, you can also tag us or send a message on social media @bermudarace!
More from our February Newsletter:
From the Chair:
Photo: Windrush in 2022
Entry fees increase on February 22. If you are planning to race with us, now is a good time to initiate your entry. Come and join our growing fleet of 167 boats.
In our January Newsletter, we shared news about relocating the starting line to Fort Adams to engage the Newport community in the kickoff of the 53rd Newport Bermuda Race. The Race Committee has made some adjustments to the Notice of Race: the start time has been shifted back by one hour to 1400, taking tidal considerations into account. This change ensures that our entire fleet can commence under flood tide conditions. We encourage all participants to thoroughly review the latest Notice of Race. Amendment #2 was published recently.
Sailors should act fast on other approaching deadlines: sail orders with North Sails, Life Raft Servicing with LRSE, and take advantage of flight discounts with our partner BermudAir. Details on these offers, including a new offer for photo and video packages from the Race’s hired media vendors, are below.
Andrew Kallfelz
[email protected]
Messages from our Partners:
North Sails: Last call for Sails!
Flying Sails, a new breed of offwind sails, are an essential addition to the Code and headsail quiver for offshore racing. When racing the Newport Bermuda Race, be sure to cross the starting line with a North Sails Flying Sail aboard, it will quickly become your boats new best friend. Our team can help identify the gap in your sail chart and the expected conditions for the race and then determine your new Flying Sail's ideal size, shape, and material. Demand is high and our production schedule is filling up so order before March 15th to get new sails in time for the Newport Bermuda Race. Get in touch today and put your new sail on our worklist.
LRSE: Last call for Life raft rentals and servcing!
LRSE Life Raft inspection deadline March 1, 2024 and rental opportunities
LRSE, based in Tiverton RI is currently booking into Mid-May for life raft services. In order to be sure your raft is ready for the June 21 Newport Bermuda Race, all life rafts need to be at LRSE by March 1st. For future, we recommend that racers need to get life rafts into us in the fall and winter to get them done in time.
We currently have a fleet of 4,6 and 8 person Revere Regatta ISO-9650 rentals available for the race. Please get in touch with Sheri Pelkey at 401-816-5400 or email [email protected] to reserve a rental. This is on a first-come, first-serve; we do sell out of rentals.
BermudAir Discounts!
BermudAir, has joined the 2024 race as an Official Sponsor and are offering 20% off their flights!
The new airline started flying to Bermuda last fall and currently serves Boston, MA, Westchester County Airport, NY, and Fort Lauderdale, FL. Just two days ago, they just announced Baltimore and Orlando as their newest destinations starting in March.
Flights from Boston are currently listed for $149 one-way before the 20% discount code for our sailors and their families. Availability and prices are increasing though so we recommend acting fast!
To book, go to flybermudair.com and use NEWPORTBDA at checkout.
Capture the Adventure Race Photo and Video Packages Promo
Embark on an unforgettable journey and immortalize your Newport Bermuda Race adventure with new exclusive photo and video packages available through our official photographer and videographer. This is your chance to relive the thrill, capture the moments, and share your story for a lifetime.
This is new for 2024 and has never been done before. Our vendors for race media, renowned photographers Daniel Forster and Steve Cloutier and sailing videographer Chris Love, are offering this opportunity to take home your memories to relive the adventures for years to come.
Visit bermudarace.com/capture-the-adventure to learn more or secure your space now as their resources are limited. Book by April 1, a $100 credit will be applied to your final invoice.
