Ready, Set, Drift?

by David Schmidt Sail-World USA Editor on 19 Jun 2010 Every raceboat that’s heads/headed out for the start of today’s Bermuda Race, the 47th start of this iconic 635-mile 'thrash to the Onion Patch', has a story of preparation to tell.

Maybe it's that last-minute call to the sailmaker pleading for the new high-cut number-three blade jib to be delivered by dock call; maybe it’s scrambling to find a rigger to fix that upper shroud that parted on the delivery, or maybe it’s a last-ditch effort to get all the electronics to all play nicely (good luck there, mate!).

Everyone’s got a story to tell, but perhaps no one’s is as impressive as Karl Kwok and the crew of his magnificent new Farr-designed Beau Geste. Their 'delivery' commenced when Beau Geste pierced the starting line of the Annapolis-Bermuda Race, where she promptly took line honors and set a new course record. Crews quickly swapped out, and tactician Gavin Brady and company had the bow pointed toward Newport within an hour of finishing.

While this year’s Newport-Bermuda race currently has 184 boats registered—its third-highest registration in its rich, 104 year history—early forecasts are calling for a nice sea breeze to carry the fleet offshore before they confront a substantial high-pressure system filled with possible light westerlies.

Likely not the year for breaking course records, but given this year’s impressive line up of sleds big and less big — including Beau Geste, il mostro (Volvo Open 70), Rambler (R/P 90), Titan 15 (R/P 75), Ran (J/V 72), Speedboat (Juan K-designed 30-meter supermaxi) — the hardware is clearly onstage. Now, 184 boats and their crew just need the weather gods to cooperate with a fast, safe passage.

Follow the race here and on www.bermudarace.com for the latest news and fleet trackers.