Sailing: Atlantic Cup 2011 Awards Ceremony
After four days of 15-20 knot headwinds, the fleet of the Atlantic Cup arrived in Bermuda and celebrated at an Awards Ceremony at the St. George’s Sport and Dinghy Club on May 8. The Atlantic Cup is the World Cruising Club’s fun sailboat rally from the Caribbean to the US with a stop in Bermuda.
The first leg of the rally form Nanny Cay in Tortola to St. George’s Harbour in Bermuda was 850 nm and took the fleet an unusually long 5-6 days. The unseasonal weather caused a one-day delay to the awards ceremony so that everyone could be in harbour to enjoy the fun.
The Atlantic Cup is not a competitive event, but some boats choose to sail under a World Cruising Club handicap, which provides an element of fun competition while still allowing the boats to motor if necessary. The emphasis of the Atlantic Cup is on safety and fun, and every skipper receives a plaque to commemorate their achievement.
Of the yachts involved in the fun competition, the awards went to;
- First Overall: Steve Black (Green Cover Springs FL) Pacer 42 Madrugada
- Second Overall: Sam McKay (Glastonbury CT) Hylas 54 Brigadoon
- Third Overall: Charles Cunningham (Park City UT) Hylas 54 Agua Dulce
In addition to the recognition of those who led the competition, a series of fun prizes were awarded:
- First Out (almost) Last In Prize: awarded to Richard Graver (Northport NY) and the crew of Hanse 400 Susie Q for making a racing start in Nanny Cay, but being almost last in to Bermuda.
- Big Brother Awards: Rick Palm sailing onboard Charles Cunningham (Park City UT) Hylas 54, Agua Dulce. As well as being a radio net controller, Rick kept the fleet updated 24/7 by passing on messages.
- Most Enthusiasm Award: presented to Chris Holm (Wayzata MN) and crew onboard J/46 Skitterygusset.
- World Cruising Club Pulitzer Prize: Patty and David Alderson (Hockessin DE) from Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 50DS Patriche II. The quote from their onboard blog that caught the judge’s imagination was: “The weather could not be more spectacular! The ocean is the inkiest blue you could possible imagine and the sky is like one of those summer days where the sky is so very blue you take off your sunglasses to see if its real or enhanced. It’s real!! We are having 5-10 foot swells that are just rolling along. Patriche ever so gently climbs them then slides on down the other side, it is just an awesome day!”
- Greenpeace Award: Although Special Delivery and Sapphire were both sailing with proper salty sea dogs Tink and Brie, the wildlife award went to Richard Ball’s British Najad 400 Mawari, which left BVI with a stowaway – a tree frog!
Of the 25 yachts that started the Atlantic Cup, 18 are safely in St George’s, Bermuda and six are heading direct for ports on the US east coast. One yacht, David Craig’s (New Hope PA) Stevens 47 Aurora remains in Nanny Cay while repairs are carried out following her dismasting. Aurora’s family and friends were at the awards ceremony in Bermuda and received great support from the Atlantic Cup crews.
The Bermuda fleet expects to depart for the east coast later this week, weather depending. The yachts can be followed with the fleet viewer by clicking on ‘Boat Positions’ on the www.carib1500.com website.
