JUNE 2013
marion-bermuda race Welcome to the 19th Corinthian classic a special advertising Supplement of the bermuda sun June 14, 2013 page 1
Message from Allan Williams, commodore, Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC): The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) welcomes the 2013 Marion Bermuda williams Race sailors, families and friends.
Prestigious As co-sponsors with the Beverley Yacht Club and the Blue Water Sailing Club of Massachusetts we are all proud and pleased to present the 19th edition of this prestigious race, which began back in 1977. Since the RHADC moved from Hamilton to Paget in 1965, we have welcomed thousands of passionate sailors and friends like
n Photo by SpectrumPhoto/Fran Grenon
arrival: Yachts in the Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race 2011 at the RHADC marina. yourselves, and once again it is our pleasure to take care of you, our friends from past races, and new ones alike. Our team of committees, volunteers, members,
management and staff all look forward to providing you all an enjoyable visit to Bermuda and to our Club. My personal thanks indeed to the committees, volunteers and sponsors,
on both sides of the pond, who make this race such a success. Good luck, be fast, be safe, have fun and we’ll see you when you get here. n
Inside this supplement An offshore race for all levels of experience Pages 2-3 Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race 2013: Organizing Committee Page 3 Island hospitality — enjoy the sun, rum and fun Pages 4-6 Why this year’s Marion-Bermuda race marks an extra-special journey for one Bermudian sailor Pages 6-9 The Classic Yacht Division — bringing the thrill of sailing to the next generation Page 9 Bermuda entrants — Spirit of Bermuda Pages 10-11 Bermuda entrants — Alice Kay Pages 12-13 A journey into the unknown — crews must be prepared for excitement and adventure Pages 14-16 Arriving in paradise Page 16
Bermuda Sun 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM 10 Tel 295-3902 Fax 292-5597 E-mail feedback@bermudasun.bm This special supplement is produced and published by Bermuda Sun Limited and printed in Bermuda by Island Press Limited.
Publisher Randy French President Lisa Beauchamp Editorial Amanda Dale Layout Amanda Dale Advertising Sales Carlita Burgess (deputy advertising manager), Larissa French, Diane Gilbert, Claire James Creative Services Christina White, Colby Medeiros, Bakari Smith Circulation & Distribution Michelle Furbert
The Bermuda Sun publishes twice weekly and is a subsidiary of MediaHouse Limited. We are members of the Inland Press Association, International Newspaper Marketing Association and the Newspaper Association of America. We are located at: 19 Elliott Street, Hamilton HM 10; P.O. Box HM 1241, Hamilton HM FX Tel: 295-3902 Fax: 292-5597. Visit our website: www.bermudasun.bm
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
A classic race for all levels of experience By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
The Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race presents a unique challenge for sailors. One of the more unusual aspects of the event is the opportunity to forego modern technology in favour of celestial navigation. This ancient mariners’ technique uses ‘sights’ — angular measurements taken between a celestial body (the sun, moon, a planet or star) and the horizon — in order to steer a course. By using this traditional method, race entrants can gain a two per cent adjustment to their ORR (OffShore Rating Rule) rating. The blue water classic began in 1977 and is open to all ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Group Classifications. It is a Corinthian event, which enables non-pro-
n Photo by spectrumphoto/fran grenon
exhilarating: The yachts sail 645 nautical miles from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, to St David’s Head, Bermuda. fessional yachtsmen and women to race without a paid skipper or crew. It therefore appeals to a broad range of cruising and racing enthusiasts. Category 3 sailors (professional racing sailors)
can take part as ‘cruising friends’ but without payment. The Notice of Race states: “The spirit of the race is that all yachts and crew are participating for the joy and pleasure of sailing, competi-
tion, and the camaraderie that accompanies such an off-shore event. “The race provides an opportunity for cruising yachts and amateur crews to participate in an ocean race and a rendezvous in Bermuda. “It encourages the development of blue water sailing skills on seaworthy yachts that can be handled safely offshore with limited crew.” Yachts are accepted by invitation only, following applications. They must be “seaworthy, monohull yachts appropriate for a Category 1 Race between 32-feet and 100-feet long with fixed keels, immovable ballast, an enclosed head, and a cabin fitted out for comfortable cruising”. The skipper and crew must have a “demonstrated competency for an ISAF Category 1 Race”, with preSee classic, page 3
THE BERMUDA SUN
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
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Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race 2013: Organizing Committee Board of trustees Chairman David Patton, Charles Bascom, Jack Braitmayer, John Carey, Thomas Farquhar, Willie Forbes, Graham Quinn, Buddy Rego, Henry Roberts and Mark Gabrielson
Trustee Emeritus
Thomas Dickinson, Allan Doughty Sr, Joseph Fantasia and Louis Sebok
Legal counsel Terrence Freiberg
Executive committee
Executive director Allan McLean, administration & Marion logistics Nan Johnson, Bermuda operations Charles Dunstan, marketing Liz Stott, participation & mentoring David Risch, race operations George Gardner, registration Alan Minard, Safety at Sea Symposium Edward Stott, treasurer Debra Gayle
Operating committee — Bermuda Bermuda operations
classic Continued from page 2 vious experience of at least 250 miles of offshore sailing. Except for double-handed yachts, each boat must have a minimum crew of four adults. All boats must have an enclosed cabin “fitted out for comfortable cruising”. Hull length, exclusive of spars or projections fixed to the hull such as bowsprits or pulpits, must be between 32 and 80 feet. Fixed keels are required and moveable ballast prohibited. The race is a challenging one, crossing 645 nautical miles of open ocean. Boats also have to cross the Gulf Stream, which presents its own challenges and potential extreme weather. Mr Williams, commodore of the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC), has completed eight Marion to Bermuda races. He was also a member of the crew that won the 2007 race aboard Preston
n Photo by spectrumphoto/fran grenon
skill: The Marion-Bermuda race is a test of seamanship and teamwork for amateur crews. Charles Dunstan, Bermuda/ RHADC functions Allen Walker, compliance Willie Forbes, dock committee Ed Faries, dockmaster Tom Whayman, duty desk Janis Dunstan, finish line Eugene Rayner, general manager Allen Walker, management Amy Adderley, marina manager Nick Brown, merchandise Theresa Mason, prizegiving/gala dinner
Rob Mason, protest committee Robin Judah, RHADC administration Sandy Gascoigne, race activities Charles Dunstan, technology Neil Redburn
Beverly Yacht Club
Flag officers — RHADC
Blue Water Sailing Club
Commodore Allan Williams, vice commodore Ed Faries, rear commodore Neil Redburn
Commodore David Patton, vice commodore Daniel Power, rear commodore Mark Gabrielson n
Hutchings’ Morgan’s Ghost. As commodore, he is looking forward to welcoming this year’s race entrants to Bermuda and the RHADC. Although numbers continue to be down in recent years — most likely influenced by tough global economic conditions — this won’t affect the fun atmosphere pervading the race week’s events and activities, said Mr Williams.
welcome them alongside.” Club members and RHADC staff will be on hand to greet the yachts, take their lines and orientate them. The duty desk will also provide a ‘skipper’s package’, with all the information visitors will need on the week’s events. Among the other groups of volunteers are people dedicated to entertainment, clothing (eg. hat and shirt sales) and catering. Eugene Rayner will be in charge of organizing a 24-hour watch system at the finish line off St David’s Head. This will be in place from Monday evening until the last boat arrives. Members of the Bermuda Rowing Association, who use the club’s facilities, will also be helping out. “As a ‘thank you’ they are manning the bars at the prizegiving,” said Mr Williams. “It’s going to be a busy week, with volunteers from all different directions.” He said that having just
two Bermuda vessels in this year’s race — Spirit of Bermuda and Alice Kay — was perhaps indicative of the ongoing recession. “The economy isn’t great right now, and if someone does the Newport race it’s a bit of a job to get both of them (Newport and Marion) done consecutively. “It’s often a case of time and money as these races are relatively expensive.” He encouraged all sailors to experience the Marion to Bermuda race. “It’s a wonderful experience and is unique also, in that much of it is family-oriented. The family aspect can be seen in fathers and sons, wives and daughters, all sailing together. Everyone really enjoys it. “Families also fly down separately to Bermuda, so it’s become a ‘friends and family’ event over the years. “Many of the people involved in the original race back in 1977 are still involved today, either as trustees or volunteers.” n
Families “The number of entries (38) is about the same as it was in the last two races, but previously we’ve had over 150 boats arrive in Bermuda,” he said. “With 40 boats and an average crew of around eight however, it is easier to welcome them and to make this more of a ‘quality’ event rather than ‘quantity’. “Members of the RHADC marina are kindly giving up their berths to make way for the visiting yachts and there will be someone to
Commodore Raymond Cullum, vice commodore Lawrence Hall, rear commodore Daniel Cooney
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
n hospitality
Sun, rum and fun for race week visitors By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
Visiting sailors, families and friends can enjoy a bumper Bermudian welcome in this year’s Marion to Bermuda race. Organizers on the island have arranged a packed schedule of events and activities to occupy all ages, and to introduce visitors to some of the more unique aspects of Bermudian culture.
Fishcakes With an afternoon tea hosted by the Governor’s wife, a fishcake demonstration, cricket lessons, Gombey dancing and mixing up Rum Swizzles, the Bermuda race committee hopes to make visitors feel even more at home. Charles Dunstan, operating committee — Bermuda
n file photo by kageaki smith
culture: Enjoy the colour, sights and sounds of Gombeys. operations and race activities, said: “We’ve come up with some nice events to give people a taste of Bermuda, and Gosling’s are helping us out in terms of the fun.”
Following feedback from families visiting the island in previous years, there are now more events to keep youngsters busy. Mr Dunstan said: “It’s not just kids, but wives and
husbands too. We’ve got a series of events built around the culture of Bermuda. “We’ve got a fishcake demonstration by Dale Butler (‘King of Fishcakes’) one lunchtime. On another day, we’ve arranged cricket lessons with Allen Richardson, a Bermuda Cricket Board member and former player on the national team. He will teach some of the North Americans how the game works, and some of its quirks. “We’ve also got a fashion show that will allow some of the retailers in town to highlight what people can find in their stores, and on Friday we have a fun sailing regatta for family and friends. Gosling’s are organizing the after-party, with a Crown & Anchor table. “We’ve also teamed up See race week, page 6
THE BERMUDA SUN
Race week events Monday, June 17: St David’s Lighthouse Cocktail Party, 6pm. Watch the first boats cross the finish line. Tuesday, June 18: Afternoon Tea, 4pm, at RHADC’s South Lawn, hosted by Margaret Fergusson, Governor’s wife. Sponsored by Butterfield & Vallis. Wednesday, June 19: Fashion Show Luncheon, 12pm, at RHADC. The latest in Bermuda fashion. Sponsored by Hera Boutique. Rum Tasting, 6pm, at RHADC. Sponsored by Gosling’s. Thursday, June 20: Fishcake Cooking Demonstration, 12pm, at RHADC’s South Lawn. BBQ on the Dock, 7:30pm, RHADC dock cabana (Flip Flop bar). Pig roast by the water, Gombeys and steel drums, plus DJ Phil. Kids’ Movie Night, 8pm, RHADC. Friday, June 21: Cricket Lessons, 11am, at RHADC’s tennis courts, with former national team star batsman, Allen Richardson. Friends & Family Race, 1:30pm, RHADC dock. Dinghy races: 420’s and Lasers for adults; Optis and O’pen Bics for children. Gosling’s Crown & Anchor Party, 4pm, RHADC’s South Lawn. Bermuda’s legal gaming tradition plus Rum Swizzles, mixed in Sheila Gosling’s washing machine, and live music. Saturday, June 22: Snorkelling Expedition off Elbow Beach, 10am. Twohour snorkelling tour with Blue Water Divers exploring a shipwreck, for all ages. Marion to Bermuda Race Prizegiving, 6pm, RHADC. Gala Dinner, 7:30pm. Tickets $85 per person, children under-12 $42.50, from RHADC Duty Desk. n The general public are also invited to the RHADC events. E-mail socialevents@marionbermuda.com to reserve a spot. See www.rhadc.bm and www.marionbermuda.com. n
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
Classic Yacht prize to honour sailor’s legacy Son will compete for trophy named after his late father By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
For one sailor taking part in this year’s Marion to Bermuda race, the voyage will mark an extra special journey. Ed Williams will be carrying on his father’s legacy by competing in the race which has a trophy named after him.
Heritage In the biennial event for 2013, race organizers have introduced a new class, the Classic Yacht Division. The Captain Ed Williams Trophy will be awarded to
race week Continued from page 4 with Elbow Beach who are doing an Adventure Camp, involving wreck diving, the Bermuda National Museum and other points of interest. “For the adults, the Fairmont Southampton Resort is offering golf specials.” The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute is also offering fun educational sessions on sharks, prehistoric seas, seashells and pirates for children aged seven to 13.
Camaraderie Mr Dunstan said while most visitors are from the US, there are also Canadian yachts which sometimes compete. “We also often get the maritime academy/cadet institutions who send a boat. “The Marion to Bermuda race is not a full-on professional race, so this type of event works well for them. It’s good for celestial navigation training, and training at sea in a competitive environment.” He said the race also helps to prepare skippers and boat owners for bigger events and voyages.
the first boat to finish on corrected time. It is so named after the late Captain H. Edward Williams, a professional sailor and advocate for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, which owns and operates the sloop Spirit of Bermuda. Captain Williams was always a passionate champion and supporter of a training vessel on which to educate Bermuda’s youth in sailing and their links to their forefathers’ past. He was deeply involved with the Bermuda Sloop Foundation charity, which built Spirit as a replica of a traditional Bermuda sloop.
captain ed williams Captain Williams died just a few months after the official launch of Spirit in Bermuda, but his son will now sail on the sloop as it sails from Marion
“It’s not much different dation for visitors, Mr from other races that take Dunstan said: “It’s a bit of place all over the world, but everything. Some people people can use the Marion who’ve been coming for to Bermuda race as a years may stay with local qualifier for other races friends, or people will stay such as the Transatlantic in hotels, guesthouses, or Race, so this is a nice introrent houses through one of duction to that. the rental agencies.” “Some of the skippers will Lengths of stay vary from have been working on this a few days to a week or race for a year or more now, more, as some skippers use getting their boats ready the opportunity to enjoy and meeting all kinds a vacation on the of safety compliisland with family ances. and friends. “The Marion Some will also fly to Bermuda race in another crew to prepares them to sail their boat back go to sea in a reguhome for them. lated fashion, so once This year both the they’ve entered a Fairmont Hamilton dunstan race like this they Princess and Royal are well prepared to Palms Hotel are go anywhere in the world sponsoring the event and on their boat.” have special room rates for He added: “It is also a visitors. family-oriented race, and The Marion to Bermuda Bermuda is a beautiful Cruising Yacht Race is place to bring your family therefore a boon for tourto, with wonderful activiism, said Mr Dunstan. ties, events and parties. “Over the last several “The event initiates a real races we probably had sense of camaraderie. It about 20 people on averis quite an undertaking to age coming to Bermuda come across the ocean and associated with each boat. so this creates camaraderie The average crew numbers among the people taking themselves tend to be about part. six. “And when you arrive on “When you start to interthe island you are greeted pret these numbers into with typical Bermudian hotel and restaurant revehospitality.” nues, this event really starts In terms of accommomaking sense in terms of
to Bermuda. “I feel quite honoured to be there and for something in which he believed in so much,” said Mr Williams, 64. “I think that for him it would be the next best thing to him actually being there.” It is the first time Mr Williams has entered the ocean yacht race and it also marks the inaugural Marion to Bermuda race for Spirit. Preston Hutchings will skipper the boat with a crew of 20. He said: “The organizers phoned me a few months See legacy, page 8 tourism. It has a pretty good impact.” The race committee and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) are also keen to welcome local residents to the yacht club and its events. “The yacht club is open to all,” said Mr Dunstan, a past commodore of the RHADC. “It’s a great excuse to meet a bunch of new people and make new friends, and also to see all these beautiful boats.” About 40 yachts are taking part in this year’s race and most will be moored at the RHADC’s marina. “We may get one or two staying in St George’s but most will be moored at the club,” said Mr Dunstan. “We encourage the boats to put all their signal flags up and so it is quite a sight, it makes a nice spectacle.” The week’s events start on Monday evening with a cocktail party at St David’s Lighthouse, close to the finish line. They will end with the prizegiving and a gala dinner at the RHADC on Saturday, June 22. n
For more information see www.marionbermuda. com or www.rhadc.bm
THE BERMUDA SUN
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
June 14, 2013 n 7
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
legacy: ‘ ...the next best thing to him actually being there’ Continued from page 6 ago and told me the committee had decided to name the trophy after my Dad. As a family we are so excited about his legacy living on through this trophy. “I’m very excited about the race. I’ve sailed with Preston Hutchings before and think it’s fantastic he’s chartered Spirit for this event. It’s going to be really exciting for everyone on board. “He is racing with his family and friends but has also opened up a couple of slots for young people in the Bermuda Sloop Foundation programme. “Spirit did very well in the Newport Bermuda Race last year and we hope that in this particular race she will also do well. “Hopefully we will have the same conditions and we will really be able to show off what she can do.”
n Photo supplied
prize: The Captain Ed Williams Trophy for classic yachts. Mr Williams, a sales representative for Coldwell Banker Bermuda Realty and a former business development manager for WEDCO, said Captain Williams was a charter boat captain, a professional skip-
per and also a taxi driver. He passed away seven years ago at the age of 89. “My father sailed since he was a child and completed many Newport to Bermuda races,” said Mr Williams. “His life was at sea — the
only time he wasn’t there was when he was in his taxi cab. “He really believed in using sailboats to help children learn leadership and responsibility, as well as the fundamentals of sailing. “He was on the original steering committee for the Bermuda Sloop Foundation and was the signatory on the building contract for the Spirit of Bermuda, so he was delighted when the programme he always dreamed about was created. It was a dream come true for him. “He passed away just three months after Spirit arrived, and was delighted he got to see her. I remember seeing him at the ceremony on the day she arrived — he was really excited about it all. “He was always one of the people who dreamed about Bermuda having a See legacy, page 9
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Race brings thrill of sailing to next generation By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
The new Classic Yacht Division in the MarionBermuda Cruising Yacht Race aims to encourage more youth training vessels to participate in the thrill of ocean sailing. Entrants must be training vessels and classic yachts registered with the American Sail Training Association (ASTA).
Accessible The trophy is named after Captain Ed Williams of Bermuda, who dedicated much of his life to encouraging young people to sail. Allan McLean, executive director of the MarionBermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association, said: “We created this class as we generally feel very supportive
legacy Continued from page 8 sailing training vessel for an educational programme. He really believed in helping Bermudian children to learn about how sailing was part of their heritage. “Sailing used to be seen as ‘a rich white man’s sport’ but my father wanted to make it clear that the ancestors of many Bermudians were involved in sailing.
Integration “A lot of black slaves mastered these vessels and were part of the crew; they were important members of the boat.
of youth sailing, and have supported organizations in the past that run youth programmes. “We wanted to match the name on the trophy with the underlying goals of our introduction of the Classic Yacht Division. “The folks in Bermuda recommended him (the late Captain H. Edward Williams) for the trophy, and the explanation they provided made this seem like a nice fit to everyone. “Given the fact that the Spirit of Bermuda is owned by a foundation (Bermuda Sloop Foundation) that has this same goal, we see this as consistent with our objectives. It feels a natural mix.” There were two entrants to the 2013 inaugural Classic Yacht Division race — Spirit and Belle Aventure, but Belle Aventure withdrew
in the weeks running up to the event . “Our goal is that perhaps in the future, hopefully two years from now, we might have a larger number of participants in this division,” said Mr McLean. “Many of these boats get booked out years in advance, so for us to charter some of the boats and make it a meaningful race it will take more advance planning than we had this year.”
Spinnakers Mr McLean said the new class was only initiated late last year. “This all evolved in the fall, which wasn’t enough time for some of these boats to get this event onto their calendars.” In November the race committee also announced
“There was a whole difitage and its role in history ferent philosophy of intein her job at the Ministry gration on a sailing vessel of Education, Mr Williams because you depended on is a member of the Sloop each other. Foundation’s Ambassador “My father also felt that programme, helping to sailing was a woncreate opportuniderful means of ties for the youth of helping kids to learn Bermuda. about responsibility. Mr Williams, of This is one of the Hamilton parish, real achievements said: “We really that Spirit has been advocate for Spirit able to do, to touch and the Sloop kids in this way.” Foundation. williams jr Mr Williams and “The goal is to get his sister, Leona most young people Scott, are also passionate in Bermuda involved with advocates for the Bermuda something that means so Sloop Foundation and its much to our history as programme. Bermudians, and that can While Ms Scott advocates also help them in terms of for Bermudians’ sailing her- life skills.
other changes to make the event “more accessible than ever”. This included increasing the size limits for vessels from 80ft to 100ft LOA (Length Over All). A new division was also created with an unrestricted sail inventory — the Big Yacht Division. Symmetrical spinnakers and spinnaker poles are also now permitted in the event. Mr McLean said in November: “The changes broaden eligibility for participation, while maintaining the Corinthian spirit of the race — focused on family and fun, with captains and crew participating for the joy and pleasure of sailing, competition and the camaraderie that accompanies this race.” n
“You can also have a great time and enjoy this wonderful sport.” Mr Williams has sailed since he was five-years-old and has also enjoyed offshore ocean racing. He said Spirit’s entry in the Marion to Bermuda race can only help to further raise awareness of the Sloop Foundation’s work. “The more we can highlight what the Bermuda Sloop Foundation is all about, and its objectives, the more we can create greater opportunities for young people.” n
For more information see www.bermudasloop.org.
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
n bermuda entrants / Spirit of Bermuda
Can Bermuda sloop take line honours? Spirit of Bermuda Designer/engineer: Langan Design Associates Manufacturer: Rockport Maine, US (2006) Rig: Bermuda sloop LOA (Length Over All): 112 ft Beam: 23 ft Draft: Nine ft, six in
By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
Bermuda’s motto is Quo Fata Ferunt — Whither the Fates Carry (Us) — and the crew of Spirit of Bermuda will be hoping this is a ‘reach’ when the sloop leaves Marion today. Skipper Preston Hutchings is hopeful that, with the right conditions, the sloop can be first over the line and repeat his triumph with Morgan’s Ghost in 2007. Six years ago, his NYYC Swan 42 was the first to St David’s Head with a corrected time of three days, 22 hours, 47 minutes and 56 seconds, clinching line honours.
Speed The crew were awarded The Blue Water Sailing Club Board of Governors Trophy for shortest elapsed time. This year however, Mr Hutchings is taking a much bigger boat. Spirit is a replica of traditional Bermudian schooners built between 1810 and 1840, and used for trading. They featured a low-slung freeboard and were renowned for their speed and manoeuvrability. The 112 ft triple-masted schooner was to go up against Belle Aventure, a 90 ft Ketch, in the MarionBermuda Cruising Yacht Race’s new Classic Yacht Division but Belle Aventure withdrew in the weeks running up to the event. The race marks the inaugural entry in the biennial event for the sloop, which also made its debut in the
n Photo by john wadson
majestic: The Spirit of Bermuda in full sail along Bermuda’s South Shore. Newport Bermuda Race last master and past Olympian year. Alan Burland, navigator Then, she crossed the 635 Larry Rosenfeld, Spirit nautical mile (nm) stretch captain Karen McDonald, of ocean in 73 hours, 20 min- Nasty Medicine’s owner Dr utes and 17 seconds. Steve Sherwin, and Olivier During her voyage she Sarkozy, brother of former also diverted to come to French president Nicolas the aid of a dehydrated Sarkozy. sailor aboard Seabiscuit, Mr Hutchings, senior vice although he was transpresident and chief investferred to the Royal ment officer of Arch Caribbean cruise Capital Group Ltd, ship Enchantment said: “I thought of the Seas, 200 it would be really miles northwest of fun to experience a Bermuda, leaving sail from the US to Spirit to resume the Bermuda on a boat race under sail. which is a modern Spirit was also version of somehutchings the sole entry in the thing our ancestors Spirit of Tradition would have sailed Division of the Newport 200 years ago. Bermuda Race last year. “Nowadays there’s Mr Hutchings is keen to electronic navigation, air see what she can do in the conditioning and refrigera645 nm event. tion to add to the comfort. He has chartered Spirit Aside from these creature with her professional comforts and from Spirit’s crew of five to six sailunstayed masts, the boat is ors, plus three teenagers similar to what you would in the Bermuda Sloop have seen had you been livFoundation’s sail training ing in Bermuda 200 years programme, and 20 of his ago. family and friends. “It’s the sort of boat you The crew includes sailing can also take friends on
who may not have done any ocean racing before. The crew is large enough that there’s room for half-adozen or so who are inexperienced in sailing across an ocean. “Of the guest crew there are about half-a-dozen ocean-going neophytes (beginners), and a large number of experienced sailors who have many thousands of miles of ocean sailing experience. “The combination of the two means everyone will be safe, and hopefully we will all have a good time.” Among the experienced crew are Mr Hutchings’ sons William and Alistair. William has just graduated from Tufts University in Boston where he was captain of his university sailing team. Alistair is studying at Sewanee: The University of the South in Tennessee, and is a former captain of his prep school sailing team. Both have worked as sailing instructors at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy See spirit, page 11
THE BERMUDA SUN
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
spirit Continued from page 10 Club (RHADC), as has friend Luke Templeman, another Bermudian on board. “We have a lot of Bermudians on board,” said Mr Hutchings, 57. They are joined by Brits, Americans and Frenchman Mr Sarkozy. “We are all really excited about the race,” said Mr Hutchings. “Creating this Classic Yacht Division will hopefully attract more boats like Spirit to participate in the future, boats owned by foundations dedicated to teaching young people how to sail. “This was always important to Captain H. Edward Williams (whom the Classic Yacht Division trophy is named after), that the youth of Bermuda should be provided with the opportunity to learn how to sail.
Advantage “He taught his own son, Edward Jr, who will be a member of our crew.” Spirit left Bermuda on May 30 under captain Ms McDonald at the helm and the crew assembled together in Marion, Massachusetts, by Wednesday. Mr Hutchings is confident about Bermuda’s flagship’s chances, but says “it depends on the strength and direction of the wind”. “If we don’t get a strong breeze our competition may be faster,” he said. “With a course of roughly 165 degrees from Marion to Bermuda; if we can get a reaching breeze out of the east-northeast or west at a good rate of knots, we could do very well. “The boat wants a reach. The nature of Spirit’s sail plan is such that we don’t want the wind too much on the bow or over the stern because that would lead to us having to tack or gybe the whole way” A reach is a point of sail where the wind is abeam (slightly ahead of the beam, or at a 90 degrees angle). Mr Hutchings said: “Whereas Morgan’s Ghost could sail well within 45
n Photo by debbie barboza
win: Morgan’s Ghost was the first to the finish line in 2007. degrees of the wind, Spirit needs more of an angle relative to the wind — perhaps 60-70 degrees. “Modern boats are more nimble. They can sail closer to the wind and they have spinnakers. “When they tack or gybe it only takes a few seconds, but when you’ve got a boat of more than 100 feet, tack-
ing and gybing takes time.” Mr Hutchings said Spirit has an advantage over other boats in that she has a longer waterline, but her weight is a disadvantage in light air. “If we have an eight knot breeze from the southeast, Spirit won’t be going very fast, ” he said. “But I think it will be a
June 14, 2013 n 11
blast, particularly because this is the closest we can get to experiencing the way Bermudians sailed back and forth between North America and Bermuda. They certainly didn’t sail with a spinnaker up going at 15 to 20 knots — speeds that Morgan’s Ghost reached in the 2007 race.” Comparing the Newport Bermuda and MarionBermuda races, he said: “The Newport Bermuda Race is a little more serious in terms of the competition and Marion-Bermuda is more laid back. “The starting line of Marion-Bermuda is a further away by 10 miles or so, but after the first couple of hours it’s basically the same race. “Both races have a good atmosphere but once you’ve left the starting line it’s the same race. The only difference is the nature of the competition.” He added: “I’m hoping to get here first, whether we win on corrected time or not.” n
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
n bermuda entrants / Alice Kay
‘It’s all about the experience,’ says skipper Alice Kay Model: Bermuda 40, Mk III Manufacturer: Hinckley Rig: Yawl LOA (Length Over All): 40 ft Beam: 11 ft, nine in Draft: Four ft/eight ft, nine in
By Amanda Dale adale@bermudasun.bm
Alice Kay, a 40 ft yawl, will be flying the flag for Bermuda in the 2013 Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. Along with the Spirit of Bermuda, she is the only Bermuda-based yacht competing in this year’s offshore classic, and is the island’s only competitor in the Founders Division. Skipper George Cubbon faces tough competition from 36 other vessels in the fleet but is relishing the challenge. The biennial race however, is not so much about racing to win but the enjoyment of taking part, said Mr Cubbon, 61, of Pembroke.
Friendly “It’s quite a friendly race,” he said. “It’s not such a ‘full-on’ or intense race as the Newport Bermuda Race, so is more of a cruise. “It’s not about a massive desire to win, it’s all about participating. Handicap racing can be hit and miss — it depends on myriad factors — so it is really all about the experience. “We are excited to be taking part; it’s going to be very pleasant.” He said: “It’s the first time I’ve entered the MarionBermuda, but I’ve done the Newport Bermuda and Charleston Bermuda races in this boat when it belonged to Richard Hartley, whom I still regularly sail with.” Alice Kay is a Hinckley Bermuda 40, built by Henry R. Hinckley & Company of Southwest Harbour, Maine. Mr Cubbon, former
n Photo by amanda dale
shipshape: Owners George Cubbon, left, and Bill Andrews, right, aboard Alice Kay. president and CEO of AIG Insurance Bermuda, said: “There’s been 203 of these boats built since 1959, and Alice Kay is number 185. She was built in 1985. “There are a number of boats built by Hinckley taking part in the Marion to Bermuda race — between six and eight — so it will be nice to socialize and talk to some of the other owners. “But we are the only one of this design. Alice Kay is quite an old design so is more predictable at sea than a lot of the more modern boats. She’s more comfortable in that she doesn’t bounce so much. “We are one of the few boats to have a mizzen — a second mast — so she is what you call a yawl. “It means we can sail an extra sail going forward. This makes the steering easier and you’re more capable of keeping the balance.” Mr Cubbon and his crew left Bermuda on May 31 to sail up to Buzzards Bay in Marion, Massachusetts. They took a leisurely sail up
to their destination, where they then spent a week relaxing and making the final preparations for the race. Co-owner Bill Andrews was also due to sail in the event but unfortunately broke a rib a few weeks before the event. Canadian Stephen Benn, who has previously competed in the Marion to Bermuda race aboard Bermuda Oyster, is to take his place. The crew also includes Canadian Irene Conlon, and three other Bermudians — father and son, Donato and Chris Sgobba, and Mark Berry. Mr Cubbon said the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race has some of the highest safety standards in the world, which involves in-depth training for crew and strict equipment requirements. “Safety is a critical issue. We went to Boston in March for a Safety at Sea seminar, which a certain proportion of the crew have to attend. This involves training in
the use of PFDs (personal flotation devices), lifejackets, lifeboats and first aid. It’s very comprehensive. “On Alice Kay, we will have a two-watch system, splitting the crew into two groups of three. “Keeping a good lookout for other boats is critical but there are various mechanisms which will allow other ships to see you more easily. We have a radar enhancer which sends a powerful signal to other ships’ radar. “We have the US Coast Guard close by, and technology to locate vessels in distress has advanced enormously in the past decade. “We have a satellite phone that we can dial from any location in the world, and we also have a GPIRB (Global Position Indicating Radio Beacon), that transmits a GPS signal when wet, telling a satellite where it is. It’s registered to this vessel and can pinpoint us within the nearest 200 feet. It has a See alice kay, page 13
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
June 14, 2013 n 13
alice kay Continued from page 12 battery life of 36 hours. “So, if anything was to happen to the boat, there are three to four buttons we can push to inform the Coast Guard of where we are.” He said: “The Marion to Bermuda race has strict safety requirements and is classed as an ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Category One event.
Forecasts “This has the secondhighest requirements for safety and other equipment, so these requirements are quite strict. “This has given us an opportunity to get Alice Kay into tip-top condition. In the process we’ve found out some defects, mostly routine stuff and upgrading of equipment, such as when something was nearing the end of its life.”
n Photo by andrew davidson
voyage: Alice Kay leaves Town Cut, St George’s, on May 31. The Marion to Bermuda race is scheduled during fair conditions for offshore sailing for the northeast US to Bermuda. “The event is set at this time of year because it’s after the winter but before
hurricane season,” said Mr Cubbon. “It’s very rare you will get a hurricane this far north in June. “However, the swell can be high and you can get storms at any time.”
He added: “You can use commercially-available weather forecasters for the race. “For the journey up to Marion we have a guy at a weather routing service to tell us the best route to avoid any bad weather — the optimum way to go for comfort. But you can’t use this service during the race.” In terms of food and clothing, the crew has to keep supplies basic. “We are bringing food that is easy to prepare, because it’s difficult to cook in saucepans when the boat is jumping around,” said Mr Cubbon. “We have ready-prepared dishes we can put in the oven, plus granola bars, candy and fruit. “At this time of year there can be one or two cool evenings close to the US coast, but more than of half the race will be this (eastern) side of the Gulf Stream, so by now it is very mild and we will dress accordingly.” n
NATIONAL MUSEUM WELCOMES MARION-BERMUDA RACERS
Race on down to the Museum! As home to 500 years of Island culture and history, we have fascinating heritage exhibits in our unique naval military buildings. Enjoy our latest Shipwreck Island exhibit, historic mural, stunning rampart walks, dolphins and much more.
NATIONALMUSEUM BERMUDA OF
Royal Naval Dockyard, Sandys Tel. 441-234-1418 • www.bmm.bm Open every day 9:30am–5pm (last admission 4pm)
14 n June 14, 2013
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
A challenging voyage of seamanship By Rich Pinkowitz Every year in June there is a sailboat race from New England to Bermuda. In the odd years, cruising and racing/cruising boats compete in the MarionBermuda Race. This is a Corinthian event for non-paid crew, although professional cruising friends are welcome as long as they are not compensated. The professional paid crews and their specialized racing boats start in Newport, Rhode Island in the even years (Newport Bermuda Race). The race to Bermuda beyond the sight and safety of shore in blue water is a challenge for competitors in each race. While winning is perhaps the goal in the Newport Bermuda Race, it’s a bonus for the non-professionals in the Marion-Bermuda Race who are participating to achieve personal accomplishment.
No refuge On June 14, 2013, Buzzards Bay outside of Marion, Massachuetts, the race to Bermuda will begin. For four to five days, depending on wind and weather, they will be sailing over 645 miles aiming towards a small dot in the ocean, Bermuda. There are no stops along the way, no harbours of refuge if the weather turns ugly. Stretching the lifeline to safety and security, it is a challenge into the unknown. Weather changes during the race and predictions at the start are less accurate for three and four days into the race. Security decreases as the race progresses. Boats and crew are prepared and ready for these challenges. The accomplishment for everyone starting the race is the sight of the welcoming beacon — St David’s Lighthouse in Bermuda. This is the 19th race, which is formally known
‘Stretching the lifeline to safety and security, it is a challenge into the unknown.’
n Photo by spectrumphoto/fran grenon
unpredictable: Crews must be ready for all conditions. as the Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. The first race was in 1977. The Newport Bermuda Race is older, first run in 1906, and then, only for amateurs. As the Newport Bermuda Race gained in popularity and grew to allow larger, demonstration boats, the need for a race purely for non-paid amateurs was filled by the MarionBermuda Race. In fact, to date, almost 1,700 boats have ventured offshore to and from Bermuda safely and successfully through their participation in the Marion -Bermuda Race, which is for many skippers and crew, their first blue water experience. “The Marion-Bermuda Race is a competitive event,” said Graham Quinn, former executive director and trustee of the MarionBermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association. “Everyone is serious about doing well. It is just at a different tone than other races… There is great camaraderie among racers, and the more experienced racers share thoughts with the new entrants.” About one-half of the entrants in the 2011 race were repeats, and the others were new to offshore sailing. Mark Gabrielson on Lyra was a first timer who “wanted to do a multi-hundred mile offshore sail”.
“The Marion-Bermuda Race is the safest way to do it,” he said. His boat, Lyra, a Hinckley S’Wester 50, on which his family cruises the Maine coast during the summer, was built in 1976. “This was an opportunity to upgrade the boat to fulfill the requirements for the race and have a safer boat for the family cruising,” said Mr Gabrielson. The 2011 Marion-Bermuda Race had 54 registered entrants. Anne Kolker, captain of Etoile, an all-female entrant in the race, was also a first timer. She had recently done the shorter, overnight Lobster Run from Stonington, Connecticut to Boothbay, Maine and thought she and her crew was ready for a greater challenge. “We’ll have fun together, work together and figure things out together.” Warren Zapol sailed the Marion-Bermuda Race in 2005 on a friend’s boat and entered his own boat, Mahubay, in 2011. “It’s a wonderful thing to do. You get to know people when you are at sea and you build friendships.” Mr Quinn concurred: “It is a smaller, more intimate event than the NewportBermuda and sailors get to know each other.” For most, boat preparation begins long before the boat gets to the starting line.
The race to prepare the boat may produce more anxiety than the race itself. In order to gain entry to the starting line, boat and crew must meet standards established by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) for Category 1 racing, “where yachts must be self-sufficient for extended periods of time, capable of withstanding heavy storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance”. Then to make certain that the boat is properly prepared, each boat must be inspected and approved by a certified inspector. A seaworthy boat can be undone by an inexperienced crewperson or captain. The race requires at least some of the crew aboard each vessel to have participated in an offshore race of at least 250 miles. In addition, at least 30 per cent of the crew must have attended a Safety at Sea Seminar. Mr Gabrielson and crew attended the March 2011 Safety at Sea Symposium. He said: “After attending the seminar, I’m not sure why I would leave the dock to race. “Yet, it is an excellent immersion in safety and the problems that might arise when you are offshore.” In one day, the Safety at Sea Seminar highlights the range of weather, emergency, crew and safety situation that might arise See seamanship, page 15
THE BERMUDA SUN
Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
seamanship Continued from page 14 when offshore. The 2011 Symposium was lead by John Rousmaniere, an experienced mariner with more than 40,000 miles of blue water behind him. You may not ever experience the difficult conditions described in the seminar, but the knowledge of how someone else has handled the conditions prepares you in the event that similar difficulties arise offshore. The start of every race is exciting. For sailboat races, it is a close-quarter manoeuvre of large, lumbering boats not wandering too far from the starting line, while trying to gain an advantage for the start. This often results in heart-stopping manoeuvres to avoid collisions while the clock is ticking down to your class start time.
Mystical Everyone is trying to cross the line at the precise second of their start. For a first time captain, just getting the boat to the starting line is a huge accomplishment in itself. After the start there is an 18-mile long reach down Buzzards Bay leaving the Elizabeth Islands and the south shore of Massachusetts behind. Having successfully navigated the shoals at the southwestern end of Cuttyhunk and out past the Buzzards Bay entrance buoy, it is a straight line to Bermuda for the next 630 miles. Tight quarter manoeuvring is over and navigators now set their best course to Bermuda. As the light on Gay Head Lighthouse disappears from view, the boat and crew begin to settle into the routine that will carry them to the finish in Bermuda. There are no highways on the ocean and the boats separate. Each captain and their navigator has their bestguess course to Bermuda. It is now getting dark and crews begin the watch pattern of work shifts that will carry them through the next
n Photo by spectrumphoto/fran grenon
all-stars: Anne Kolker captained an all-female crew on her Stellar 52, Etoile, in 2011. several days. The first night offshore can be special. Garet Wohl, the navigator aboard Etoile in 2011 said: “Watching all of the stars at night is mystical.”
About 150 miles offshore lies the Gulf Stream. Called “a river in the ocean” by Matthew Maury, the Gulf Stream is a major obstacle on the route to Bermuda. It can be a challenge.
June 14, 2013 n 15
Ranging from 50 to 100 miles wide, this river of warm water flows at speeds of up to five knots, often conspiring with local weather patterns to create big seas and challenging sailing conditions. Like a meandering river, Gulf Stream waters break away from the main body to create eddies — swirling pools of water — miles across. This can either help or hinder the progress of the fleet. In this day of satellites and GPS the well-prepared navigator has tracked the Gulf Stream and its eddies on the web for weeks in advance of the race as they create and update their optimal course to Bermuda before leaving the dock. Emerging from the Gulf Stream, it is now time to reset the course to Bermuda. Once through the Gulf Stream, foul weather gear is put away, shorts and T-shirts become the uniform See seamanship, page 16
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Marion-Bermuda Race: a special advertising supplement
THE BERMUDA SUN
An exhilarating journey to paradise By Rich Pinkowitz After sailing for days in the open ocean, the sight of Bermuda and terra firma is a relief. Bermuda, sitting alone in the Atlantic, is an oddity but if we look at our charts we should realize this island is unique. Rising up in the North Atlantic Basin between Hatteras Plain and the 12,000 mile long MidAtlantic Ridge, Bermuda combines the majesty and scope of the Rocky Mountains and yet has more in common with Pacific atolls on the opposite side of the globe.
Inspiring At its highest point Bermuda is only 250 ft above the surrounding sea. To put that in perspective, the John Hancock Tower in nearby Boston is more than three times taller. Below the surface, however, Bermuda rises over 12,000 ft from the sea bottom. Approaching Bermuda from the sea, after a voyage from Marion, Massachusetts is exhilarating, but imagining the totality of Bermuda from the sea bottom is inspiring. Bermuda is a tropical atoll and the northern-most coral reef on the planet. It is supported by over 12,000 ft of lava from past volcanic action. Over this
seamanship Continued from page 15 of choice and the next few days are often a pleasant sail in tropical weather. The winds are steady and warm. This is the time to “sit on the bow watching dolphins ride the bow wave,” as Warren Zapol poetically put it. Conversely, as was the case in 2009, the winds never stopped blowing and the rain never stopped. It was gloomy, wet and miser-
n file photo by kageaki smith
life’s a beach: Relax on one of Bermuda’s beautiful beaches, such as Horseshoe Bay. base, coral has accreted to a height of more than 200 ft for millions of years, limiting the approaches and giving Marion-Bermuda Race participants their final challenge navigating around Northeast Breakers and Kitchen Shoals to the finish line off St David’s Lighthouse. The 21-square-mile, fishhook-shaped island was uninhabited when it was spotted by a Spanish exploration ship led by Juan de Bermudez in 1503. Bermudez left his name behind, but it was the English who came to stay,
after shipwrecking here in 1609. That 400-year legacy is what creates the ‘Englishness’, while the nearly tropical air is due to the Gulf Stream you just crossed. Bermuda Highs have a major weather influence on the region, including the eastern US. High pressure systems bring mostly clear and pleasant weather to the latitudes around Bermuda and over the Atlantic Ocean. Since air circulates around highs in a clockwise manner, the Highs east of Bermuda bring moist air
and rain to the eastern US. Further west of Bermuda and the air travels over the eastern seaboard land mass, bringing drier and less humid air. This creates mostly pleasant weather across the region but also the doldrums, which can frustrate the best efforts of sailors racing toward a pleasant day relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Bermuda. We are happy you are here and congratulations on a safe and successful race. Welcome to our island paradise. n
able the entire trip. A few days later, as excitement becomes routine and routine becomes boredom, you think you see an outline on the horizon. Is it St David’s Lighthouse …or maybe a few clouds? GPS soon confirms you are about 20 miles from the finish line and everyone is re-energized. One of the more interesting charts, which the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce sends out, is the image of sunken ships surrounding the island.
The island is surrounded by reefs, and for hundreds of years unwary vessels and many a tired crew have put their boats on these shoals. The reefs are well marked, but after four or five days on the boat, the desire to get back on land may overrule caution. Approaching from the north, the finish line is on the eastern side of the island and most racers follow the curve of the reefs to the finish. St David’s Lighthouse and a sea buoy mark the end of
this multi-day journey. Sailors look forward to getting to safe harbour for hot showers, a good meal, and a Dark ‘n’ Stormy as they celebrate with exhilaration and excitement their sense of accomplishment. n
Rich Pinkowitz is vice president of operations, Immunetics Inc, in Massachusetts, US. He has completed the MarionBermuda Cruising Yacht Race three times, once as captain of his 39 ft CAL 39, Tantrum.
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