Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

"A wild ride": Elena Hight and Ian Walsh complete Newport Bermuda Race with 11th Hour Racing Team

by 11th Hour Racing Team 19 Jun 2022 14:25 PDT June 17-19, 2022
From left to right; Elena Hight and Ian Walsh alongside Justine Mettraux and Skipper Charlie Enright from 11th Hour Racing Team © Amory Ross / 11th Hour Racing

At 06:48 EDT, 11th Hour Racing Team crossed the finish line of the 2022 Newport Bermuda Race after a grueling 41 hours and 28 minutes 43 seconds at sea.

Skipper Charlie Enright (USA) and Justine Mettraux (SUI) were joined by special guests Red Bull big wave surfer Ian Walsh (USA) and backcountry snowboarder Elena Hight (USA), alongside Media Crew Member Amory Ross (USA).

It was a fast and bumpy ride to Bermuda with the crew onboard Malama racing off the start line to escape the cold front that was chasing them down. Reaching in 20-30 knots of South Westerly wind for almost the entire way on a starboard tack, they sailed through the strong currents of the Gulf Stream, and into the rough and speedy conditions that led them to Bermuda.

"A heated sea state"

"This has been full on," said Skipper Charlie Enright after crossing the finish line in Bermuda. "There has been no rest for anybody onboard. From the moment we left Newport we have been racing at speeds between 20-30-knots in a heated sea state.

"Before completing this 635-nautical mile race, both Ian and Elena had 24-hours training with us in beautiful conditions back in Newport. They knew the forecast for this race would be very different but I am honestly amazed at how well they have adapted. They both exceeded all expectations in terms of performance, attitude and general contribution to life onboard.

"I can only describe the last 41 hours as living in a washing machine, which, speaking of washing machines, we could all use one right now!"

"It's only been a day and a half but it feels like more"

"We have been looking forward to this as it was our first major race of the year," explained Justine Mettraux from below deck. "As a team we always really enjoy being in race mode because we're constantly learning, even when it's rough and uncomfortable conditions like we have had. We've only been at sea a day and a half but due to the lack of rest, it feels like much longer.

"Ian and Elena were fantastic, contributing to everything onboard. I'm not sure they slept much or managed to stomach any food but they weren't sea sick and they were a joy to have onboard."

Cumulatively, experienced sailors Enright, Mettraux and Ross have well over 200,000+ nautical miles behind them and have experienced most sailing conditions imaginable. However, it was a different story for Walsh and Hight, who between them experienced a different type of adrenaline to what they're used to in their respective extreme sports.

"Non-stop action"

Backcountry snowboarder, Elena Hight, who had never been overnight on a sailboat before this week commented, "This has been such an amazing experience. Being so far out and experiencing the power of the ocean out there was incredibly humbling. I believe this type of experience, immersed in the full raw beauty of nature, truly connects us to our Earth. I know that this deep connection is what makes us all want to do our part to protect it.

"Taking part in the Newport Bermuda Race has allowed me to have full exposure to what an endurance sport offshore sailing really is - it's been full on, non-stop action, with very little rest since we left Newport. Even just existing on these boats is quite a task. Moving around, eating, sleeping, all things we naturally take for granted when we're on land are really challenging. Add that to trying to win a race and it's full throttle.

"I am most impressed watching this crew take on anything that came their way in these conditions with ease and grace. Despite challenges they worked really well together and kept their calm.

"This race has been relentless but truly an incredible experience. I have the utmost respect for this team and all they are aiming to achieve. It has been a pleasure to be a part of 11th Hour Racing Team."

"A wild ride"

Red Bull big wave surfer, Ian Walsh, was enthusiastic about the 635-nautical mile race. "This experience has confirmed what I already thought, which is I have tremendous amounts of respect for this crew and all offshore sailors. The talent of these sailors to be able to read the ocean, the clouds, the wind shifts is inspiring and for me, it's been a crash course in learning how to sail these highly technical boats.

"I'm in awe of their skills, calm, and professionalism after sailing alongside them for just over a day. I find it amazing that this team will have to race like this for up to 35 days at a time during The Ocean Race. It's just incredible to have experienced racing like this first-hand.

"Experiencing the power of the ocean in this way is similar to how I feel when your surfing. You get a very intimate understanding of the ocean and it pulls you away from anything else in your life you might be preoccupied with. Whether you're surfing a big wave or losing sight of land, you have no choice but to be focused on what is right in front of you. It helps you be more present and in the moment without distraction.

"It has been a wild ride."

"A shared experience"

Media Crew Member, Amory Ross said: "Intense but great is how I would describe this race. There has been so much to do onboard, it's been constant.

"Ian and Elena were certainly up to the challenge, it was quite savage conditions coming out of Newport for about a day and a half but they showed progress the whole way. It was impressive to see how interested, engaged and willing to participate they were. It was certainly a shared experience."

After a quick turnaround, Malama will sail back to Newport, Rhode Island, where the team is based until the end of July.

Related Articles

11th Hour Racing's Francesca Clapcich partnership
Strengthening its title sponsorship as she embarks on a groundbreaking campaign 11th Hour Racing has expanded its partnership with professional sailor Francesca Clapcich (ITA/USA), strengthening its title sponsorship as she embarks on a groundbreaking campaign. Posted on 20 Mar
Clapcich & 11th Hour Racing launch new campaign
To foster belonging and drive climate justice Double Olympian, America's Cup athlete, and record-breaking round the world sailor, Francesca Clapcich, has announced a new global campaign that will foster belonging and drive climate justice. Posted on 10 Sep 2024
11th Hour Racing debuts new film in Venice, Italy
Featuring sailor Francesca Clapcich at ONA Short Film Festival 11th Hour Racing is thrilled to announce the world premiere of its latest film, "Between Waves," featuring renowned Italian sailor Francesca Clapcich. Posted on 4 Sep 2024
11th Hour Racing sponsors IMOCA
To further advance sustainability and diversity in offshore racing 11th Hour Racing announced today it will join forces with the International Monohull Open Class Association (IMOCA) to drive sustainable innovation and support opportunities for female sailors within competitive sailing. Posted on 14 May 2024
11th Hour Racing sponsors UpWind by MerConcept
Supporting a more inclusive and diverse offshore sailing community 11th Hour Racing announced today the new sponsorship of UpWind by MerConcept, to recruit, train, and support a team of six female sailors as they compete in the Ocean Fifty offshore sailing circuit. Posted on 13 Feb 2024
11th Hour Racing sponsor Francesca Clapcich
Expanding its work beyond sustainability On the heels of The Ocean Race win by its sponsored team, 11th Hour Racing is expanding its work beyond sustainability and ocean health to champion diversity, opportunity, and access in sailing. Posted on 1 Feb 2024
11th Hour Racing: When the dust settles
The end of the year is always a moment for reflection The end of the year is always a moment for reflection. Even in our wildest dreams, we couldn't have imagined how this year would unfold - from the highs and lows of the race itself, to the incredible welcome home in Newport. Posted on 16 Dec 2023
Top sailing team releases impact report
Detailing the integration of sustainable practices within the four-year campaign Professional US sailing outfit 11th Hour Racing Team has released an Impact Report detailing the integration of sustainable practices within the four-year campaign. Posted on 14 Nov 2023
1th Hour Racing Team - New behind the scenes video
The Art of Branding: 11th Hour Racing Team's vibrant identity by Van Orton Design When art meets performance, the result can be spectacular. The creative duo behind Van Orton Design, Marco and Stefano Schiavon, are proof of this concept. Their vibrant branding took the world stage with 11th Hour Racing Team during The Ocean Race. Posted on 14 Oct 2023
It's a double win for the 11th Hour Racing Team
Adding The Ocean Race In-Port Race Series Trophy to the overall race title 11th Hour Racing Team has won the Genoa In-Port Race, the final battle of The Ocean Race 2022-23, bagging the US team the top spot in the overall In-Port Race Series. Posted on 1 Jul 2023
Lloyd Stevenson - Catalyst GT 1456x180px BOTTOMHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignAllen Dynamic 40 Footer