Yacht Fleet Makes Final Charge To Bermuda
Transitional winds shifting counter-clockwise from the southwest are adding a new dimension to the action out on the North Atlantic today [May 25] where the 11 boats in the biennial race from Charleston to Bermuda is now in its fifth day.
At the head of the fleet, Hank Hofford, his wife Susan Ford, and their mostly family crew on board the Shipman 63 “Tucana” continue to hold the boat-for-boat lead as of the noon position updates today.
They’ve held this position almost since leaving the Charleston Harbor jetties, some 550 miles astern. But the 15-mile margin they had built over their closet rival as of yesterday evening, has shrunk by half. As this afternoon wears on, it looks likely that “Tucana” may surrender the lead to her sistership, Vladimir Zinchenko’s “Yanosha”.
And just 15 miles to the north, Stephen Colbert and his team of friends on board the OnDeck Farr 65 “Spirit of Juno” [pictured above] are within striking distance.
From on board the OnDeck Farr 65 “Spirit of Minerva”, which is under charter to Steve Wherry and several friends, came the following update.
Mr. Wherry wrote: “72 hours into the race. I’m afraid the crew is beginning to get a little anxious given that we are only half way to Bermuda and previous optimistic transit time projections had us finishing the race in as little as 60 hours with the right wind conditions, which so far we have not had.
“Our race competitors are facing similar conditions, we know, so we’re keeping our heads down and doing our best to press on despite the slow overall progress. Although we are frustrated with Mother Nature’s meagre wind allowance, she has not forgotten us.
“Today we saw pilot whales at morning and again in the afternoon just off both sides of our boat. It also has been fascinating to see the many Man o’ War jellyfish here and there, looking just like miniature mariners flying their sails.
“Out this far at sea, the ocean swells become remarkably massive and distinct, giving a real impression of terrain — peaks and valleys — as we make our way to Bermuda. Best of luck and following winds to our competitors.”
Race Director Bjorn Johnson was en route to Bermuda today via air, but he offered the following summation before departing: “The transitional situation with the winds will likely shuffle the order of the standings among the leaders.
“And given the changing conditions, we don’t expect anyone to finish until later in the day on Thursday, if not after that.”
Godspeed their journey to Bermuda. We are routing for on deck!