Locals face tough challenge in Bermuda International invitational race

by Talbot Wilson on 21 Apr 2010 Bermuda’s one-design keelboat and dinghy fleets issued invitations for the 2010 Bermuda International Invitational Race Week sponsored by Bermuda Premium Spirits Limited, local distributors of Bacardi® rum, and now face tough group of international competitors for the 2010 Race Week coming to Bermuda April 24th-30th.

Keelboats classes on the Alpha course on Bermuda’s Great Sound for 2010 will be International Etchells, International One Design (IOD), J24 and the J105.

This year only the Lasers will compete on the Bravo Course. The Bravo course will also sail in the Great Sound, but out of the Spanish Point Boat Club in waters near the club’s beach facility.

Festivities start with the Welcoming Cocktail Party on Saturday the 24th of April and conclude with the Prize giving on the 30th of April 2010. As usual, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is open to the Public during this international event.

The 2010 regatta will see global competitors from Australia, Sweden, Norway, Canada, US and the UK plus, of course, the usual strong contingent from Bermuda sailors in each of the classes.

In the IOD Class, two former IOD World Champions return to 2010 Race Week. Tony Huston from the IOD Long Island Sound Fleet and Penny Simmons Bermuda’s five-time world champs are early favorites. The current North American IOD Champion, John Pulverman, representing the Chester Nova Scotia IOD fleet, will be competing in Bermuda for the first time.

The Etchells Class has seven entries, one less 2009. Local Etchells ace Tim Patton of Warwick is back to defend his title, and he’ll be joined by Bermuda sailor Martin Vezina who finished fourth in 2009. Malcolm Graham-Taylor will also be representing the local fleet. The only returning foreign skipper in the Etchells Class is Jason Owen of London, seventh in 2009. Jason Buxton travels from Australia to enjoy Bermuda Race Week.

The J24 class, on the other hand has almost doubled this year, growing from seven to twelve boats. Bermuda’s Trevor Boyce will defend his win from 2009 and young Lance Fraser and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club junior team, second last year, will be looking for first place this time out. None of the foreign competitors from 2009 return but of the two are repeats from earlier Race Weeks; Scott Snyder’s team is coming to sea level from mile-high Denver and 9,000 foot Summit County.

Allan Williams and his Bermuda partners will defend their 2008 and 2009 title in the J105 Class. Alan won the class in 2009 by 10 points and didn’t even sail the final race of their eleven race series. The lone foreign entry in the J105 Class is Mark Cloutier. Previouslu a mainstay of Bermuda J105 sailing, Cloutier will be racing under the Canadian flag.

Racing starts at 1100hrs on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for both courses.

Rock the Dock
Competitors and Bermudians alike are invited to the New ‘Rock the Dock’ party on Tuesday night. Live music by “Outta Bounds” at 7:00 pm with BBQ dinner for $40 per person and includes a Bacardi® Dragon Berry Cocktail ‘Rock the Dock’ is a perfect lead in to a ‘No Race’ day on Wednesday, just right for international guests to enjoy the beach, the sights and the great non-sailing activities of Bermuda.

Bacardi also presents a daily prize at the RBYC Terrace Bar post race party. The Bacardi sailing Spirit prize, for the day’s significant sailing achievement, is awarded ceremoniously each afternoon.

The Prize Giving Party at RBYC concludes Race Week on Friday the 30th of April. In addition to the fantastic sailing competition, the week is sprinkled with fleet parties.

Inaugurated by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in 1927, Bermuda International Invitational Race Week has become an established international yachting fixture each spring - attracting top skippers from all over the world. Bermuda Premium Spirits Limited, local distributor for Bacardi® rum, is the sponsor and has been for the past nine years. All classes with an active local racing program in Bermuda may invite international sailors to participate in the 2010 Bermuda International Invitational Race Week. International participation is required for a fleet to compete.