Bermuda Races: A Venerable Sailing Tradition

The only thing "mini" is the boat.

When it comes to sailboat racing, the mid-Atlantic island of Bermuda is a popular destination. And why not? White sand beaches, gorgeous coral reefs, and climate tempered by the Gulf Stream... Bermuda has it all.

A fair number of well-known ocean races have Bermuda as their destination. These venerable races are major sailing events in their own right. But they also serve as proving grounds for sailors and teams wanting to make a splash in ocean racing, circumnavigation, and single-handing.

Bermuda was also a historically important destination as well, a navigational target for Spanish sailors on their way to and from the Caribbean. (The historical Spanish sailors did not share our modern appreciation for coral reefs, however, labeling it "Devil Island" for the hazards the reefs posed to their wooden galleons.)

In this article, 35 Knots will provide you with an overview on the major Bermuda races: Newport Bermuda Race, Marion Bermuda Race, Charleston to Bermuda, and the Bermuda One-Two.

Newport to Bermuda.

The oldest of the Bermuda races, the Newport Bermuda Race was started in 1906 by a fiery magazine editor, Thomas Fleming Day.

Day wanted to challenge the conventional wisdom of the time, which held that blue-water sailing was far too dangerous for amateurs. Day felt instead that what was dangerous was the poor preparations of most sailors. And to prove it, he started his own blue-water sailing race. The first race consisted of 3 boats smaller than 40 feet, and Day himself won it with his 38-foot yawl, the Tamerlane.

In the century since, the race has been held regularly – every other year, in recent decades . The race currently has five divisions, enabling even small boats to have a fair shot of winning their class, and includes a pro class. In keeping with its strong tradition of amateur sailing, however, over 90% of recent entrants have been amateurs, crewing their boats with family and friends. The next race will begin on June 18, 2010.

The race starts at Newport, Rhode Island, and ends at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. At 635 nautical miles along the rhumbline, most of which are sailed out of sight of land, the Newport Bermuda Race typically takes between three and six days to sail.

But this is a race that is known for its entirely capricious weather, making accurate predictions about course and time very difficult. Sailors must also take into account the strong current of the Gulf Stream. Depending on the conditions, and the skill and preparations of the competitors, the race can be won by a small boat, a large boat, or anything in between.

Marion to Bermuda.

Begun in 1977, the Marion Bermuda Race is what is known as a "Corinthian" race event, defined as a race composed entirely of amateur sailors.

In fact, one of the Marion Bermuda Race rules states that, "Yachts may not be entered with an intention of furthering a commercial or trade purpose for captain, crew or sponsor." Not only may the crew or captain receive "no remuneration beyond direct expenses," but they are also obliged to provide a list of all crew a month in advance.

Professional racers will have a difficult time being accepted. Expert sailors who work elsewhere in the sailing industry (for example, a sail-maker), may be accepted if they are sailing with a friend or family member with whom they have regularly cruised in the past.

Starting in Marion, Massachusetts, and ending at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club in Bermuda, the official race route is 645 nautical miles in length.

Like many ocean races, the Marion Bermuda Race is held every other year. Its most recent race started on June 19, 2009, so the next race will be held in 2011.

Charleston to Bermuda.

The Charleston to Bermuda Race (or C2B) was started in 1997, and as such, is something of a newcomer to blue-water racing. Begun in a spirit of inclusiveness, the race is open to both amateurs and professional sailors in seaworthy vessels of 30 feet or longer. Despite the event's relative youth, it has proven to be a popular race.

Beginning in Charleston, South Carolina, and ending at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (as so many of these races do), the C2B is 777 nautical miles in length

The C2B is held every other year, with the most recent event starting on May 29, 2009, so the next race will be held in 2011.

Bermuda One-Two.

The Bermuda One-Two follows the same route as the Newport Bermuda Race, leaving from Newport, Rhode Island, and following a 635-nautical mile course. But it is in many ways quite a different race.

The Bermuda One-Two was started in 1970 by the Society of Lone Off-Shore Sailors (SOLOS). The race has as its goal to encourage the development of skills in single-handed and shorthanded blue-water sailing. It has long been hosted by the Goat Island Yacht Club, Ltd., and since 1992 the Newport Yacht Club as well on the U.S. side, and the St. George's Dingy and Sports Club in Bermuda.

The Bermuda One-Two is a two-part race, from Newport to Bermuda and back again. The first leg, Newport to Bermuda, is sailed single-handedly. The return leg is sailed with the addition of one crew member. Hence the name of the event, which reflects the number of sailors on board for each leg of the race.

If the Newport Bermuda Race is challenging enough with full crews, imagine tackling those same challenges all by yourself! But any sailor who can single-hand that route has proven capable of handling a solo circumnavigation in future. Thus, the Bermuda One-Two is not only an important event in its own right, but like other Bermuda races, can also be an important addition to the resume of a sailor with ambitions of going farther.

Like the other Bermuda races, the Bermuda One-Two is held every other year. The most recent race began on June 5, 2009, so the next one will be held in 2011.