(Marion, MA)- The hosts for the Marion-Bermuda "Navigational Cruising"
Race are the Beverly Yacht Club, Blue Water Sailing Club and the Royal
Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club. This year marked the 18th running of the
event over 34 years, starting from a race that began with two old
sailing buddies talking about racing from Marion to Bermuda and inviting
their friends, to each boat being tracked through satellite navigation
for all the world to follow. It has always been a race for cruising
boats and remains so today.
The
unique value of the race really lies in the mission to maintain its
roots in blue water cruising while staying abreast of the changes in our
sport. In 1977 it was a celestially navigated race only because that
was the way it was done. The race added electronic navigation in 1997.
The average size of a cruising boat in 1977 was 38 feet. In the 2007
race, the average boat was 47 feet with a number of boats over 70 feet.
Today’s boats are often equipped with modern technology that makes the
handling of sails and rigging simpler and offshore navigation more
precise, but the challenge of this ocean passage, the camaraderie of the
crew, and the personal reward of a good finish in this competitive
event remain unchanged.No matter how good the meteorologist is, you can always bet Buzzards Bay will surprise you. Winds were supposed to be 15 SSE – but reports at the start of the race saw a steady 30 with many seeing gusts in the 40′s. In shallow Buzzards Bay, with the sea state picking up along with the wind, it becomes a lumpy, choppy, uncomfortable wet mess. But all 50 competitors got out of the gate like champs. Finishing is a "victory" for many people who sail the race- the word "race" really being a misnomer since the event is treated as a "cruising navigational challenge and experience."
Congratulations are deserved for the J-Teams that successfully participated in this year's rough and tumble event. Included amongst the fleet were, in Class A, the pretty J/44 NJORD sailed by Fred Ewing that sailed into 9th place and just behind in 10th was another beautiful J/46 RUNNING TIDE sailed by Waddy Garrett. Sailing Class B and crossing 7th was the J/42 STARLIGHT sailed by John Bell. Sailing photo credits- Spectrum Photo For more Marion-Bermuda Race sailing information
