Annapolis To Bermuda Ocean Race Starts Today
20 yachts carrying 145 crew will set sail from Annapolis, Maryland, today [June 5] at 2:30pm Bermuda time as the competitors in the 2026 Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race begins their 753-mile race to Bermuda.
“This year, we have 20 yachts with 145 crew participating in the Race. Additionally, the Pride of Baltimore will be attending, though not participating, in the A2B Race. This year, the US Naval Academy has entered four Navy 44s,” a spokesperson told Bernews.
We asked about the potential finishing times, and the spokesperson said, “Based on the predicted weather forecast for this year’s race, the fastest boats might arrive in Bermuda on Tuesday, 6/9, while the majority of the racing, performance cruising, and rally classes sailors will likely arrive on Wednesday and Thursday, 6/10 and 6/11. However, the weather often changes that timeline!”
The organisers note, “The Annapolis to Bermuda Oceans Race — or A2B — started in 1979, and covers 753 miles, making it one of the longest ocean races on the east coast of the U.S. The challenging course combines inshore and offshore, down the Chesapeake Bay and across the Gulfstream to Bermuda.”
It would be a nice gesture for the local organizers to organize a Victory parade for all the participants to sail or motor, one by one in a line, into Hamilton Harbour on the Saturday afternoon following the race to honour the participants for their commitment and effort to make the journey here.The Australians know how to show respect to yacht race participants, hence the Sydney to Hobart yacht race earns a lot of world attention and I believe the Bermudian boating public would like to do the same given the opportunity. If advertized, the Bermudian public would be out in their boats or lining Albuoys Point and the Hamilton docks to make it a spectacular event. The same should be done for the Newport to Bermuda Yacht race and the Marion to Bermuda Yacht race. I believe this will give more lustre and world attention to these races and help them attract more entries in the future which would help Bermuda tourism.