Moondance crew prepare for Bermuda

The biennial Newport - Bermuda race is perhaps the most important distance race in the United States (though the nice folks who run the Transpac might argue). It's been said that Bermuda, the Fastnet race in England, and the Sydney - Hobart race in Australia are the "big three" of ocean racing. It's a big deal.

This was my third Bermuda race, and my first as navigator. The Bermuda race is a tricky one, because the Gulf Stream can be a big factor in the race. It's also an open-ocean race (unlike the 900+ mile Jamaica race, which goes through the Bahamas and just past Cuba). Getting outside of helicopter rescue range tends to make the preparation & execution of safety details a bit more thorough.

Here's a Moondance team picture, taken moments before we left the dock fo our 635-mile adventure. The rest of the pictures and commentary are pretty much in chronogical order. I wrote this blog to be read from top down.


On Wednesday evening before the race (on Friday) Gosling's Rum traditionally hosts a party. This year's party was held at the Newport Shipyard. It was a very popular party and I saw a bunch of friends there. If you're going to get entirely lubricated best not to do that the night just before the race. Hence a Wednesday night party. However, I had lots of serious brain-work to (try to) do so I took it easy.

DSK Comifin, a Swan 45 from Italy. They were our teammates in the three-boat Onion Patch series (along with Aphrodite). Real nice folks and VERY good sailors. It was a misty, overcast late afternoon / early evening. Challenging conditions for photography. I did my best. :/

Resolute, Beneteau 40.7. I've raced against the a couple of times now, and I've raced with at least three of her crew. Friends & good sailors.Peroni was the beer sponsor of the party. A number of the boats flew Peroni "sails". Nice. I did a bit of "quality control", and I can assure the readers that it's the best Italian beer available. Thank you, Peroni.
Here's a pic of the brand new Blue Yankee, about to embark on her first major ocean race. She's a Reichel-Pugh 66 footer and VERY fast. Traditionally the length of a "maxi-yacht" is 70+ feet. But this boat is faster than many 80-footers. Maybe she's a "pocket-maxi"?


Fernando, Jodi, & me. The pic using a flash came out much better. Plus I don't have that stupid grin. It takes a real man to wear pink (or so they say.)


I've sailed with and against Dusty a bunch of times. Great sailor, super fun guy.
More party tent action.



Crew of Intrepid, one of the 21 boats in our class. They are super folks and I've sailed with them before. Seth, Janet, Sean, & Lindsay. C'mon, Lindsay, get in uniform! We nailed down the details of a little "side bet", boat to boat. But I can't tell you yet who would up collecting! :)


Goslings did a very nice job at this party. "... and I would like to thank the sponsors..." I can assure the reader that their quality control is excellent.

For those who might not know, a Dark 'n Stormy is made with Goslings Black Seal Rm and Barrett's ginger beer. Other rum could be used (but why would you?) and other ginger beer, but THAT's a perfect drink.
Cliff, some fellow, Fernando & Jodi
Party tent action


Party tent action

The nicely executed ice sculpture
Just outside the party tent was a rather large sailboat. Lots of folks chatted calmly beneath her. Good thing the jackstands were solid!

The next morning we showed up at the boat to take care of lots of details. I did nav work at the computer, ran through a bunch of checklists, and helped drive some folks around town. Crew zipped off in all directions taking care of checklist items.

Here's our other teammate, Aphrodite, a Swan 46. She was moored in the same boat yard as us.

Will helps load provisions


The view from Jamestown Boat yard. Newport waterfront & Ft. Adams in the background.

Aphrotite
Cliff in action (taking us out to the mooring)

Classic 12-metre yachts Gleam and Northern Light having a light-air duel in Narragansett Bay.
An obligatory bridge picture (because I work in the bridge industry).

Late that afternoon skipper and I went to the big pre-race briefing. We received instructions from the race organizers about safety, rules, weather, navigation, fair sailing, logistics, customs, radio protocols, and a variety of other topics. That night a few of us had a very quiet dinner and hit the sack early.

Friday morning (race day!) was filled wth last-minute chores. We each did a variety of assigned tasks. One of mine was to attend some navigational / weather briefings containing the most up-to-date information available. As of that morning I still hadn't decided which way to go in the race and I knew the latest data might hold the key to making that decision.
Chatting with our shore team.
Final details.

Getting ready for our team pics.
Here's our "best" team photo. Top: bowmen Fernando & Robbie.
Middle: Dan C., Will, & Harry. Sitting: Rando, Rick, Dan O., Jerry (in back), & Matthias.
Standing at right: Skipper Cliff.
And so we left the dock. Goodbye, land. Next time we would use the dock lines would be 635 miles away, in another timezone. Next blog will cover the actual race! :)