Bermuda Ocean Race 2012 entries open

by Linda Hughes on 1 Jun 2011 Bermuda Ocean Race is set to begin June 8 of 2012 and has now opened its call for entries. Annapolis’ Eastport Yacht Club and Bermuda’s St. George’s Dinghy and Sports Club are set to host the competition that welcomes racing veterans, first timers and cruisers.

The race will be open to any single- or multi-hulled sailing yacht 28- feet length overall or greater. There will be spinnaker, non-spinnaker, double-handed and one-design classes. There will also be a separate demonstration class for the Mini 6.5s.

The fee for entering the race is $850 if received before January 2, 2012 and $950 after that. Entries may be made online here. Final entry deadline is May 1, 2012. The entry fee is refundable until May 1, 2012.

The 18th biennial BOR begins in Annapolis and finishes 753 nautical miles later in Bermuda. The race is known for its mix of great racers, cruisers and diverse sailing conditions. Starting on the Chesapeake Bay sailors must navigate busy coastal waters and cross the often tricky Gulf Stream. Largely invisible competition and treacherous reefs encircling Bermuda make it a race for the adventurous.

Competitors during the history of this 33-year-old race have included racing stars George Collins of Chessie Racing fame and Jim Muldoon in Donnybrook; numerous rising stars on the east coast racing scene, Sea Scouts, the U.S. Naval Academy Sailing Team and many spirited cruisers. The Notice of Race is posted on the race website Bermuda Ocean Race.