Newport Bermuda Race - GryphonSolo2 approaches the finish

by Joe Harris on 26 Jun 2014 GryphonSolo2's Joe Harris updates on the approach to the finish in the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race.

GS2 and her fearless crew are actually approaching the finish line of the worlds longest race. OMG. Totally. 18 miles to the finish line and we actually have seven knots of wind, which at this point feels like a frickin’ gale.

So at this point, with a few spare minutes in darkness before we engage the battle with the 50 other boats converging on the finish line, I thought it would be fun to come up with my Top Ten takeaways from this race:

Getting to know the force of nature that is my co-skipper Rob Windsor- let me just tell you my friends, this man is a piece of work. A true FLID (frickin Long Island Dooshbag) and all of my lacrosse buddies from Long Island know I say that with full affection. Awesome sailor and great shipmate. Our first voyage together but hopefully not our last.

- Sailing in light wind is just plain stupid- ‘nuff said

- Sailing with good wind is a ton of fun and everyone should try it.

- Sailing offshore at night renews your sense of wonder in the universe;
- Irish Coffee is Good

After your Irish Coffee, take the opportunity to crap off the stern of your boat. As Austin Powers would say, 'It’s really quite liberating baby yeah!!' Here are a few tips: take all your clothes off (night is preferred); assume a Greco-roman/ sumo squatting position; stick your butt out over the transom and heave a mighty sigh; deliver your gift to King Neptune; attend to your toilette with some baby wipes; Life is Good.

Watch 'Talledega Nights - The Legend of Ricky Bobby' the night before the race for inspiration and then say all the best lines 100 times to your co-skipper.

Double-handed sailing is where its at. We have sailed past these big boats with a dozen people perched on the rail and they probably haven’t left the rail for most of the race. Huh? At least after 50 years on the planet I am self-aware enough to know that an anti-social asshole of my caliber who is known not to play well with others in confined areas for extended periods has no business on a big boat going to Bermuda with 20 of my closest friends.

Try your best to break your boat, so that you and your co-skipper can fix it. Very bonding. Use as many tools, glue and duct tape as possible and then don’t clean up. It’s a guy thing.

Have an understanding wife... this probably should have been at the top of the list. As mine waits for me in Bermuda, I thank her for putting up with me.

So, there you have it. I’m sure there are quite a few we missed, but we will have to save those for another day. Back to the business of actually finishing this race after five days of trying.

Bermuda Harbor Radio - Bermuda Harbor Radio - Bermuda Harbor Radio - Standing by on VHF 16 and 27 for further transmission-

Race Tracker available here

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