Videos: First Newport Bermuda Boats Finish

[Updated] Less than 40 hours after leaving Newport, the first boat crossed the finish line off St David’s just after 7am Bermuda time this morning [June 17], with George David’s Rambler claiming the honours — and breaking the record — in the the 635-mile Newport to Bermuda Race.

Rambler off St David’s Bermuda at approximately 7.27am this morning:

Rambler, a Reichel/Pugh 90 from Hartford CT, is the largest boat in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division and held the lead all the way from Newport.

Closing into Bermuda right behind Rambler are Shockwave [George Sakellaris, Class 10], Bella Mente [Class 10], and Team Tiburon [Class 10], which is being skippered by Argo CEO Mark Watson. We will update with further information as able, and you can follow the race tracker live online here.

Update 8.41am: The crew of the Rambler stopped in St George’s to clear customs [they are pictured below at Ordnance Island], and are now heading to Hamilton.

Update 9.09am: Race officials confirm that Rambler’s [unofficial] time of around 39 hours is a new record. Two additional boats have finished, with Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente crossing the lighthouse line 1 hour 43 minutes behind Rambler, followed 3 minutes later by Shockwave skippered by George Sakellaris.

Update 9.37am: Video of Rambler crossing the finish line, and a quick interview with George David who noted they took about 25% off the prior record, which he was very pleased about.

Mr David said, “It’s hard work making a boat like this go. It’s very sophisticated and has a lot of power in it, and if the power gets out of control bad things could happen. So the whole issue it to keep the power on, the pedal down, and make sure you keep it under control so nobody goes off the road.”

Update 10.27am: Mark Watson’s Team Tiburon has crossed the finish line off St. David’s

Update 11.05am: Rambler and Shockwave have arrived in Hamilton Harbour.

Update 11.13am: Bella Mente preparing to join Rambler and Shockwave at the RBYC dock.

Update 11.37am: Rambler still in process of docking, and waiters are on the dock holding trays of Dark & Stormy drinks.

Update 11.53am: A sudden downpour sends awaiting spectators off the dock looking for shelter. The Rambler is still not docked, and a few crew members of the waiting-to-dock Shockwave hopped on a speed boat to make their way to land.

Update 12.32pm: Race officials said,”George David’s 90ft maxi Rambler has smashed the 635 mile Newport Bermuda race record, clipping a massive 14 hours off the previous best time set 10 years ago by Roy Disney’s Pyewacket. The new record now stands at 39hr, 39 minutes, 18 seconds (subject to ratification) – an average speed of 16knots.”

Update 12.37pm: Video of race commentary from this morning, courtesy of the Newport Bermuda race organisers:

Update 1.09pm: Over 60 photos from this morning’s race finish have been posted here, and the race website is updating with race results here.

Update 1.39pm: On corrected time, Shockwave beat Rambler by 33 minutes, followed by Belle Mente in 3rd and Team Tiburon 4th. Two yachts in class 10 are still racing.

Update 10.06pm: Video of race commentary from this afternoon, courtesy of the Newport Bermuda race organisers:

#BermudaSailing #NewportBermudaYachtRace

Category: All, News, Sports, Videos