BELLA MENTE has just finished the 635 mile light air race the Bermuda this morning. The predictions were for about a 60 hour race and it was a few more than that, but not too many. The Gibbs Hill 10 Division was a fleet of 5 boats, all with slightly different tactics. As alwyas with light air, you want to sail as close to the true course between points within reason and making bets on the final hours of breeze closer to Bermuda. While BELLA MENTE sailed the most true and direct course from Newport to Bermuda, two boats took a track further to the west after crossing the gulf stream. That paid off for RAMBLER and BEAU GESTE as they were able to come in hotter in the end and take the line first and second. Splitting the difference was RAN and TITAN XV, which stayed closer to the true course and ended up extremely close at the finish.
RAMBLER took line honors for the class coming in around 7am, followed by BEAU GESTE. RAN and TITAN XV were in a heated battle, extremely close to each other and BELLA, with her lowest IRC rating was a few miles behind. It was a close pack, and the racing finishes will definitely come down to corrected time calculations over the 62+ hour race.
For now, I know the guys will be happy to arrive at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and hit the dock for some food, rest and of course, Dark n Stormy refreshment. I’ll post the final results here as well as comments I get from the crew as soon as I have them.
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