Racing in NE waters

The Centennial Newport to Bermuda Race Hosts a Record 265 Boats

The exciting 16 division start out of Newport is followed by frustration in light air

Photo gallery of the start on June 16 in Newport, RI. Hundreds of pictures.

This could very well be the slowest 635-miles to Bermuda in the race's celebrated 100 year history. As we sat at New York Yacht Club's Harbor Court awaiting the Race Committee meeting, the flags gave an indication of what was to come. Not a breath of air. Not a flutter of flag, and a record temperature in the 90s predicted. We thought for sure we'd be sitting out there well into the night to get 16 divisions started.

Yet, the gods smiled on Newport and provided a very exciting start to this historic event. As the USCG cutter with the Principal Race Officer (PRO) Tinker Myles onboard (along with apparently hundreds of guests) got into position, the wind started to build. First a gentle breeze. Then a nice steady 10 knots. Plenty with 265 boats heading for the start area and countless other spectator boats. All of Narragansett Bay was abuzz with activity. People were congregating on the massive lawns as they did in the old days. It was so very festive.

The tension started to mount as the time came closer to the first warning. Just before that, wouldn't you know it, a giant tanker sailed through the fleet. And if that wasn't enough, two tugs with a barge in tow carrying some massive structure that could have been the section of a tunnel came barreling through the fleet and across the start line just to increase the level of tension. Along the way, someone must have cut the barge off, to which the captain responded with the prescribed five prolonged blasts. Little sailboats have got to remember that there is no visibility ahead for the barge, and there is no maneuverability for a barge that size being towed! The PRO came on the radio and warned the fleet that indeed this barge would be proceeding through the start area.

Finally came the first warning and the start line dance was beginning. What a sight. All the boats that were not in that division were to remain outside the marked start area along with the spectators. It got pretty crowded back there with boats raising their sails and preparing for their starts.

The demonstration division featuring Gryphon Solo and the gigantic Maximus going for a record that would prove elusive this time.

The tension was so high that several boats in the first division crossed the line early at the gun and had to repeat their start. In a 635-mile race, the start isn't going to make that much of a difference, yet they all had to go for it! Once the first division was off, the second division advanced into the start area and began taking their positions along the line. It was so beautifully orchestrated. Hats off to the organizers and the PRO. Every ten minutes another division crossed the line. It was such a beautiful dance to watch.

They did something interesting here. They started the fastest boats last. What that did was give a chance for the smaller slower boats to get a good start and for the excitement to build toward the end of the day. Way cool! You could see each division recede over the horizon as the next division chased them down. That way, the competitors got to see other boats and pass one another rather than just fall farther behind. And typical of Narragansett Bay, the wind continued to fill in until it was blowing a nice 15-18 knots. That made a great start for the demonstration division boats.

A total of 263 boats headed off into the night. Pindar Artemis, a British open 60, grounded on a rock just moments before her start. (How embarrassing!) The Transpac 52 Decision hit a sumerged object after the start and had to return to Newport. The Ctm 49 Peningo has apparently withdrawn and returned to Newport as well, which would make the total getting to Bermuda 262.

We took lots of pictures and decided to post them all. You never know when there will be one shot of someone's friend or family member or boat that will make their day. Please feel free to download copies for your personal use.

Please do not use these photos for any commercial reason without express written permission. We'd be glad to discuss terms. please email us.