(Newport, RI)- Three weeks into the entry process for the 48th Newport
Bermuda Race, applications for entry for the 2012 race continue to roll
in at a rapid rate for the 106-year-old biennial ocean-racing classic,
with expectations of another large fleet.Brin Ford at the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee, commented, "As of February 3rd, the rate of entries was exactly on pace with the 2010 race with 105 boats having submitted Applications for Entry (AFE)." The Newport Bermuda Race is an invitational event, so skippers must submit an application and receive an invitation before completing the registration process. The 2010 race was the third largest ever, with 183 boats. The only bigger fleets were 264 in the 2006 Centennial Race and 198 in 2008.
Among boat builders, currently J/Boats has 21 entries, twice as many as any other brand! In other words, nearly 25% of the Bermuda Race fleet are comprised of passionate offshore J sailors.
Many of them are amongst some of the most experienced and successful
offshore sailors. Amongst the returning boats is GOLD DIGGER, Jim
Bishop's J/44 (New York, NY) who will be back for its twelfth race in
what looks to be like another tour'de'force for the five boat J/44 class
so far. Included amongst them are Phil Gutin's BEAGLE, Len Sitar's
VAMP, Jason Leblanc's GLORY and Lawrence Glenn's RUNAWAY. In addition
to the strong turnout of J/44s, there are a number of other very
competitive boats in the St David's Lighthouse Division, including two
well-sailed J/120s lead by Richard Born's WINDBORN and Jim Praley's
SHINNECOCK. Also present are past Bermuda Race competitors Darren
Garnier sailing his J/35 GREAT SCOT, Jan Smeets on his J/133 BACCHANAL
and Andrew Weiss sailing his highly successful J/122 CHRISTOPHER
DRAGON. In Cruising Division will be Howie Hodgson's J/160 TRUE.
Finally,
the Double-Handed Division is only getting stronger every Bermuda
Race. This year we'll see repeat Bermuda Race winners participating,
like Jason Richter's incredibly well-sailed J/35 PALADIN. Like last
time, Jason will have his hands full with two J/120s, Hewitt Gaynors'
MIRIELLE and Gardner Grant's ALIBI- both tough contenders. Plus, toss
in Scott Miller's J/122 RESOLUTE and Nathan Owen's J/46 SEABISCUIT and
you have a nearly "one-design" race amongst these five boats. Thanks
for contribution from- Talbot Wilson. For more Bermuda Race sailing information.
