Charleston to Bermuda Race - Diminishing winds overtake fleet

by Event Media on 1 Jun 2009
After nearly 24 hours of steady progress toward Bermuda, the yachts sailing in the seventh edition of the Charleston to Bermuda Race have slowed considerably throughout their second day at sea.

By midday Saturday, the strong cold front that help speed the competitors east had dissipated, giving way to a high pressure system that is so characteristic of this region it’s known as the Bermuda high. As of the most recent updates from on board, the fleet was arrayed slightly north and south of the rhumbline, with no one sailing faster than six knots (roughly equivalent to the speed of an average electric golf cart.)

The current leader in the race is Dave and Shelley Warters’ 51-foot Cadence, which as of midday on Sunday, was some 500 miles from the finish along the 777- mile course. She was sailing southeast at an average of 3.8 knots. The Waters’ and their Charleston-based crew assumed the lead just before dawn today after Mark DiStefano’s Swan 56 Nova reversed direction and began motoring back to Charleston. In a brief phone message, DiStefano explained that he was concerned about taking too long to get to Bermuda and about the amount of fuel he had on board. The decision was particularly disappointing because similar circumstances prompted DiStefano to cut short his participation in the 2007 edition of the race as well.

Meanwhile, just a few miles north of Cadence, the Spirit of South Carolina is heading directly toward Bermuda at an average speed of 5.7 knots. Because she is in the Exhibition Class of this race, the big schooner enjoys the advantage of using her engines should the situation require that. In an e- mail communication sent this morning, Capt. Tony Arrow wrote 'in order to be in Bermuda by the time of the awards ceremony, and hopefully, catch some good wind at the back end of the trip, we are motoring. '

Capt. Arrow explained that he and his crew of 25 had 'excellent winds for the first 14 hours of the trip. We sailed at speeds of 8.5 to 11 knots! We kept our course a bit south of east to cross the Gulf Stream at closer to a right angle, and compensate for the current set. Early the morning of 30th, we were approached by a squall line that showed heavy rain and substantial lightning. We sailed until it became prudent to strike sails in the event of dangerous wind speeds. All sails were doused except the staysail. That allowed us to keep the bow downwind and the wind on the quarter, our safest point of sail in heavy weather. And then the wind stopped.' He went on to mention that the forecast for the next few days includes very light and variable winds, hence his decision to engage the engines proceed under power.

According to Capt. Arrow, the good news is that 'the crew is in good condition mentally and physically and has overcome any lingering seasickness. This mild weather has made excellent conditions for us to engage in series of celestial navigation classes.' He said that later today the crew would enjoy a swim call (in which anyone on board who’s game can enjoy a swim in the Atlantic with 15,000 of ocean beneath them).

Some 60 miles north of the rhumbline, Lee Edwards and his crew on board the chartered Little Harbor 63 Spray passed just astern of Ken Johnson’s C&C 40 Grateful Red this morning, almost within eyesight. Just 24 hours earlier, as the wind began to dissipate on Saturday afternoon, both entries made a significant course alteration and began heading north-northeast where the weather forecast indicated there would be stronger winds. As of the most recent position updates, Spray was still sailing east- northeast, making about five knots while Johnson and crew were heading east-southeast averaging just over five knots. Both yachts have managed to maintain higher average speeds than the remainder of the fleet, but they have sailed considerably longer distances in order to find more wind.

The next 20 to 24 hours will indicate whether or not this strategy pays off. Additional details about the race and photos from the start are available online at www.charlestontobermuda.com. You can also track the fleet’s progress by following the link to iboattrack.com.

The Charleston to Bermuda Race is sponsored by Bermuda Tourism, Gosling's Rum, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess Hotel, and Bauer International. The event receives vital support from The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. The race is open to all seaworthy sailboats 30 feet and longer.

The owner and organizing authority for the Charleston to Bermuda Race is the South Carolina Maritime Foundation (SCMF). SCMF is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to offer unique experiential education for South Carolina students, encouraging responsibility, teamwork, and other attributes that are necessary for developing future leaders. The foundation's other programs include Charleston Race Week, Charleston Harbor Fest, The Spirit Ball and the Captain's Cup Golf Tournament.

Positions Recorded on May 31, 2009 from 05:58pm – 06:04pm EDT

1. Cadence, 474.3 nm to finish.
2. Spirit of South Carolina, 476.5 nm to finish
3. Spray, 510.7 nm to finish
4. Grateful Red 518.2 nm to finish
5. Tohidu 523.5 nm to finish
6. Nova 645.3 nm to finish

http://www.charlestontobermuda.com/