‘Lilla’ Leads In Marion To Bermuda
‘Lilla’ is presently leading the pack in the 2011 Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race, which started yesterday [June 17] in Buzzards Bay off Marion, Massachusetts and will finish off St. David’s Head, Bermuda. Former talk show host, and now Fox contributor Geraldo Rivera is taking part in the race.
Of the 53 registered boats, 50 boats crossed the starting line when the starting gun for Class D [11 boats] went off, however two boats returned within three hours.
Hotspur II, Ron Wisner’s Columbia 50, came back into calm Marion harbor at 3pm with a report of broken shrouds. They made the repairs and returned to the race.
Truantreturned shortly after Hotspur II , with an injured crew member. Skipper Jonathan Oilwerther on the Tartan 4100 made the decision to return and seek immediate medical care.
Two other boats have retired from the race: Aries Dream [Sabre 426, Class B], Alastor [Cal 35, Class D], and from the looks of it, Patchwork [Westsail 32, Class D], the smallest boat in the fleet, appears to be heading back to their hailing port of Stratford CT.
The current front runners are: Lilla (Briand 76, Class A, Skipper Simon De Pietro) is out in front at an 10.1 kt clip, followed by Brigand (Class A, Skipper Sean Saslo) , averaging 9.2 kts, Kiva (Class A, Hinckley 51 S’Wester – Skipper Mark Stevens – double handing with Hank Halsted) averaging 8 kts and Margalo (Class A, DP 48 – Skipper Chip Johns) averaging 7.7 kts.
The Marion Bermuda has been sailed in alternate years since 1977, and covers the 645 miles between Marion and Bermuda.
You can view photos of the start of the race here, and track the boats here.
