Huge interest in Marion to Bermuda Race

by Talbot Wilson on 23 Apr 2005 The 2005 Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race now has 76 applications to date with 72 accepted and Graham Quinn, Executive Director for the biennial race, indicated that he thinks a few late entries may bring the total to eighty entries.

‘The only deadline we have has already passed, and it was a price deadline,’ Quinn noted. ‘Any entries from now on have a $150 late fee added to the entry but we will accept entries up until the time in which we can no longer process them in time,‘ he said.

For monohulls, the race starts on Buzzard’s Bay on June 17, while multihulls, which are expected to be up to a day faster, will start June 18.

The 15th biennial Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht race gets underway on Buzzard’s Bay June 17, 2005. The race is open to amateur cruising yachts, families and friends. Participants will have the opportunity to compete in an open ocean passage with a group of friendly competitors.

Sailing in this race is a life experience that can bridge the gap between generations, solidify friendships and foster teamwork, all while promoting seamanship and the love of sailing.

While the spirit of competition flows as freely in the veins of all racers, the Marion Bermuda is a cruising yacht race. It is as much about companionship and the joy of coaxing the best performance possible out of a sailboat as it is about being first to cover the 645 nautical miles to St. David’s Head.

This prestigious race began in 1977 with its roots deep in the Corinthian spirit. The race is hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club, the Blue Water Sailing Club and, the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.

The race is open to single hulled sailing vessels with a minimum hull length, exclusive of sprits, of 32 feet, and a maximum of 80 feet. This year, for the first time, the race will be open to two new categories, Multi-hull yachts and Double Handed yachts.

For the first time, a trophy will be awarded for the best finish of a yacht with an all-female crew.

Although Marion-Bermuda is a race for amateur sailors rather than pros, safety is a prime consideration and Marion-Bermuda’s safety regulations are as stringent as any other race of its type.

All yachts will be required to demonstrate to the Selection Committee to be of a design that is seaworthy and appropriate for sailing well offshore. This is a Category 1 Race as defined by the ISAF (ISAF regulations).

All yachts must be inspected and meet these offshore safety requirements. Visit the race website – www.marionbermuda.com – for a complete listing of all pertinent details.

The Marion to Bermuda Race includes both a Celestial and an Electronic division with equal distribution of prizes to both groups, with the exception of the Navigator Trophy, which is awarded to the Celestial winner. The fleet will be scored under the Americap II Rating System.

Race organizers reserve the greatest enjoyment, however, for the sailors themselves. We hope you’ll be among them.

If you can’t sail in this race yourself or meet the sailors in Bermuda, go online to www.marionbermuda.com and follow all the action on iBoat Track.

Monitor positions of competitors and see who wins the prizes. Every boat in the race will be equipped with a transponder to track location and progress during the 645-mile race as well as the return home.

The GPS transponder will be provided to each boat. iBoat Track, the program created by Horizon Marine, is an internet based tracking program that can be accessed through any browser so family and friends can watch your progress throughout the race, your position and speed, where you stand within the fleet and your position in your class.

For complete information on the 15th biennial Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race including all the dates and deadlines, entry list and much more go to www.marionbermuda.com