Marion to Bermuda 2011 early lead

by Liz Stott on 19 Jun 2011 Marion to Bermuda 2011 is now underway with winds reported to be blowing a steady 30 knots with many seeing gusts in the 40s.
 
The sea state is picking up along with the wind in Buzzards Bay with the environment becoming lumpy, choppy, and sloppy, but all fifty competitors still getting out of the gate like champs. There were a few boats that crossed the starting line a little early and had to go around again, but no sweat - no major lost time - all of the boats still have a number of days ahead of them to make up any lost time at the start.

Of the 53 registered boats (10% more than 2009 race), 50 boats crossed the starting line when the starting gun for Class D (11 boats) went off at 1230 hours.  Two boats returned within three hours:
 
Hotspur II, Ron Wisner's Columbia 50 (Class D), came back into calm Marion harbor at 3pm with a report of broken shrouds. They made the repairs and returned to the race.  After taking the Cook's Trophy in the 2009 Race (Ron's first Marion Bermuda), Ron is adamant about making better time this race and is coming up quickly upon the heels of the last boat in fleet, Denali, a Sabre 426 (Class B).
 
Truant returned shortly after Hotspur II , with an injured crew member (possible concussion). Skipper Jonathan Oilwerther on the Tartan 4100 (Class C) made a very prudent decision to return and seek immediate medical care. His crew member walked off the boat on his own accord, which was a very good sign.
 
Two other boats have retired from the race:  Aries Dream (Sabre 426, Class B), Alastor  (Cal 35, Class D), and from the looks of it, Patchwork (Westsail 32, Class D), the smallest boat in the fleet, appears to be heading back to their hailing port of Stratford CT.  
 
Current front runners:

Lilla (Briand 76, Class A, Skipper Simon De Pietro) is out in front at an 10.1 kt clip, followed by Brigand (Class A, Skipper Sean Saslo) , averaging 9.2 kts, Kiva (Class A, Hinckley 51 S'Wester - Skipper Mark Stevens - double handing with Hank Halsted) averaging eight knots and Margalo (Class A, DP 48 - Skipper Chip Johns) averaging 7.7 Marion to Bermuda website