Bermuda Race

Maxis fasters than ever, boosted by a powerfull Gulf stream

vendredi 21 juin 2002Hervé Favre

Participation record, elapsed time record, the 43rd edition of the Bermuda Race has been one to be remembered.


Boosted by a change in the IMS regulations allowing more sail area and greatly helped by strong winds and an unusual position of the powerful Gulf Stream (there was a meander which added an extra 4.5 knots of speed due south) the maxis have been able to maintain a speed average of more than 12 knots to break the record.

The winners of the different trophies names after the lighthouses around the finish line have been won respectively by Blue Yankee, a « mini » maxi for the IMS racers (Gibb’’s Hill lighthouse trophy) and by Zaraffa for the IMS Cruiser/Racer fleet (St-David’s lighthouse trophy). Taking the line honors and the record in 53 hours 39 minutes and 22 seconds was for Pyewacket, the Roy Disney maxi which beated the previous record holder Boomerang.

The Reichel-Pugh design team has therefore realised an incredible treble as the 3 winning boats all come from their drawing table.

Blue Yankee’s victory has however a bitter sweet taste as they lost a crew one month ago during a warm up race. Hit by a breaking spinnaker pole, he went oberboard and was never to be found. It is surprising to see how many people went overboard during this race : 2 on Morning Glory, 1 on Boomerang and another one on bright Star. Even if the conditions in the Gulf Stream were rough with squares waves created by a current against wind conditions, this number is very high.

Fortunately, all sailors were safely rescued within 5 minutes by their own crews.
Today on Friday, there will be 2 races in the Hamilton Great Sound for the Onion Patch trophy ( 2 races before, the crossing and 2 races after) before the official prize giving ceremony of Saturday night. Thereafter, all the yachts - except 5 Bermudian boats - will head back to the Eastcoast of the US.

Results of the race, visit : http://www. bermudarace.com



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