Held every two years in mid June, the Newport Bermuda Race 2012, starting this Friday, is a historic 635-mile ocean race. The race takes around three to six days, stretching across a part of the Atlantic Ocean known for challenging weather, mainly in the Gulf Steam, where there are strong currents.
Newport Bermuda Race 2012 with trackers by Yellowbrick
Over 180 yachts will be starting from the historic seaport of Newport, Rhode Island. Yellowbrick will be providing trackers to all participating boats throughout.
The race is avaliable to watch online via Yellowbrick’s fully featured Race Tracker. Alternatively one can view race information from the ease of his smartphone. The release of the Yellowbrick iPhone and Android App this year has enabled users to follow live yacht races with the touch of a button. Key features include: Viewing yacht and team info, live leaderboards, review of the race map and rhum line and wind info, social media updates and customizable email race notifications to name a few.
The course will be both interesting and challenging, and depending on the weather conditions the race could be won by a yacht of any size. After setting off from Newport the race will be broken into three main phases before the finish.
The first between Newport and the Gulf Stream – Sailing in cold water and often in fog, the navigator must select a route to the optimal position on the northern edge of the Gulf Stream. The second, crossing the stream – Depending on the configuration of the Gulf Stream (there is no typical configuration) the navigator must choose to cross the generally east flowing current up the 4 knots in the most efficient manner. Thirdly, Happy Valley! – The 300 or so miles from the bottom of the stream to Bermuda are generally most pleasant.
The racers are in warm water, the winds are warmer and generally southwesterly if the Bermuda High is established and fetching the islandis often possible. The finish will be a true test of navigation as Bermuda is guarded on its north and northeast sides by a barrier reef that cannot be ignored.
In keeping with the race’s 100-year traditions of including as many amateur sailors as possible, there will be 5 divisions. Each division will include yachts of similar size and types, allowing for fair competing for all.
Founded as an act of rebellion against the establishments who vowed that it would be insane for amateur sailors to race offshore in yachts under 80 feet. Thomas Fleming Day, the feisty editor of The Rudder magazine, vehemently disagreed, insisting, “The danger of the sea for generations has been preached by the ignorant.”
The race maintains its international prestige through competitive fairness, an exemplary safety record, and a responsive race organization handled by the volunteer members of the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Sailors everywhere dream of adding the Newport Bermuda Race to their life list of adventures.
