In the 104-year history of the Bermuda Race (now the Newport-Bermuda Race), there have been plenty of great stories, impressive finishes, fantastic yachts, and weather conditions of every sort. For artists Don Demers and Anthony Blake, two stand out, as are depicted in their choice of subject for their art: the 1923 race; and the yacht Bolero finishing with the best time in 1950, 1954, and 1956. After World War I, when the Bermuda Race hadn't been run since 1910, the event was revived and started in New London, Connecticut, with 22 boats competing. John Alden won that year on handicap in his 47-foot gaff-rigged schooner Malabar IV The Herreshoff-design Marconi-rigged Memory was the first yacht to Bermuda. Blake's painting (right) depicts the starting cannon being fired from the Race Committee launch Skylark. M emory, a Marconi-rigged yawl of the New York 40 class (59 ft. LOA, 40 ft . LWL), is just about to cross the start line with all sails drawing well in the light breeze. Just astern of Memory is the 47-ft. schooner, Malabar rv; designed and owned by Alden. Most of the yachts have large light weather "leader" headsails hoisted. The crew of Malabar lV is in the process of breaking their leader out of its stops. Memory was design ed by Nathaniel Herreshoff originally as a gaff-rigged sloop. She also won the 1924 Bermuda Race on both time and handicap. Another New York 40, Rugosa II, also rigged as a Marconi yawl (presently owned by Halsey Herreshoff) won the 1928 Bermuda Race on both time and handicap. The gaffrigged schooner l'vfalabar IV, designed and owned by John G. Alden, won the 1926 race on handicap. (For more on the history ofthe Newport Bermuda Race, see pages 28-29.)
Foggy Start by Donald Demers, oil on canvas, 24 x 36 inches (left to right) Memory, Blackhawk