For the first time in Newport Bermuda Race history, in this year's 50th "Thrash to the Onion Patch" special recognition is being given to young sailors. Two new Youth Crew prizes honor legendary sailors who were youngsters when they launched their ocean racing careers—the brothers Olin and Rod Stephens.
Sailors ages 14-23 are eligible for the Stephens Brothers Society and may receive via their skipper a Stephens Brothers Society pin (pictured here). Each skipper successfully completing the race may nominate members of the crew by listing their names and ages on this form received with their documents in Newport, and presenting it at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Duty Desk when checking in or subsequently while in Bermuda. The skipper will receive the appropriate number of Stephens Society pins at that time. Additional forms will be available at the RBYC Duty Desk.
This must be completed in Bermuda. (There is no facility for shipping unclaimed pins at a later date.)
The Stephens Brothers Youth Division Prize will be awarded to the best-performing boat with a qualifying Youth Crew that is entered in either the St. David’s Lighthouse Division or the Cruiser Division. To qualify, at least 50% +1 (rounded down) of the crew must be ages 14 to 23, inclusive, as of June 17, 2016, and the crew’s average age must be 17 or older. The race's Cross-Division scoring system will be used.
The Stephens Brothers
Many sailors recall sailing their first Bermuda Race when they were young, perhaps with their dad, a mentor, or a friendly skipper. With that, racing a long distance to Bermuda or elsewhere became a way of life.
Two great sailors who epitomized this experience were Olin J. Stephens II and Roderick S. Stephens Jr. They were not yet 22 when they first raced to Bermuda in 1930 with their father in the family yawl, Dorade, which Olin designed and Rod Jr. built. A year later, the sons and their dad in Dorade won the transatlantic race to England.
The Stephens brothers went on to sail and design many great boats, including 14 winners of the Newport Bermuda Race. Olin Stephens is a member of the Bermuda Race Roll of Honour.
Click here for more about the Youth Prizes.
