(Nassau, Bahamas)- Planning for Paradise this winter? Then, perhaps
consider the Bahamas! As the summer sailing season begins to wind down,
it is time to start organizing plans for the special winter sailing
season starting in sunny south Florida. The SORC group, along with the
Coral Reef and Nassau Yacht Clubs, is busy finalizing plans for the 2012
Nassau Cup Ocean Race that starts Thursday, November 8th off Miami. The Race Chairman, Carol Ewing, says: “The 2012 Nassau Cup is even better and bigger than last year – although we’re not sure how we can top last year’s steady 15 knot breeze with a full moon on a clear night – but we’ll try! The buzz is great and we have heard from several competitors that are already getting geared up for this year’s kick starter to sailing in the South during the winter months. The Bahamas in November! It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Since
1934, some of the best offshore sailors in the world have battled for
the prestigious Miami-to-Nassau Cup, including Ted Turner, Dennis
Conner, Dick Bertram, and Ted Hood, aboard legendary boats like Running
Tide, Windward Passage, Tenacious, and Boomerang. Starting off Miami,
racers leave Great Isaacs Light to starboard and proceed past Great
Stirrup Light, finally finishing at Nassau Harbor off its picturesque
lighthouse on the tip of Paradise Island. The current course record is
held by George Coumantaros on the maxi BOOMERANG with an elapsed time of
14 hours, 26 minutes and 39 seconds in 1986. Today’s modern boats just
need the right conditions to claim this legendary prize, and racers of
all types will enjoy the navigational and crew challenge of the race
across the Gulf Stream.
After
a day's rest from the race, most crews join one another for drinks and a
buffet at the Nassau Yacht Club on Friday night and then proceeded to
“Crazy Johnnie’s” for some lively entertainment. Saturday usually brings
beautiful cool weather and a mid-day get together for the crews to vie
for the J-22 Match Race Championship!! Many star-studded teams are sure
to compete for honors again this year. That same evening, a very nice
buffet and open bar with plenty of Mt Gay rum makes for a lively dinner
and prize-giving where the J-22 trophies and the Nassau Cup Race awards
are presented to their deliriously happy winners! For those who've
experienced the fun and camaraderie of this event, it's one to put back
onto your "bucket list" for your friends! It looks like the J/44 WHITE
GOLD sailed by Jim Bishop will be participating and perhaps last year's
winner, the J/105 LOKI from Ft Lauderdale, too. For more Nassau Cup Race sailing information
