NOTES

19 June 1000 - We are planning on a 1300 ADT start (1200 EDT) under clouds, rain and SSE breeze.
Glory update: Jay emailed me today.  The Coast Guard has given Jay the option to be air lifted via helicopter should he choose.  He has made plans for someone to ferry fuel and water to him.

18 June 1430 - News on Glory.  Jay's wife Janet called me to say that Jay lost his autopilot (2nd time) last Saturday.  Someone is sending out of Nantucket a fast boat with fuel and water to Jay and should get to him within 5 hours.  Janet says the Coast Guard has been very helpful.

18 June 1200 - The race back was delayed one day to 19 June at 1300 (cruise ship leaving around noon) due to a potential low south of New England on Sunday.

15 June 2100 -  A group of us were taken on a wonderful private tour of Fort St. Catherine by Patrick Paley.  The Tall Ships left Hamilton around noon and paraded by the North end of Bermuda for a start to Charlestown at 4pm.  Palangi offered to take me out to the start which ended up being around 10 miles off shore; way out there.  We did have a great view of the Kruzenshtern under almost full sail starting.  Pretty impressive.  The seas were rough (for us that is) and a squall came through just before the start.  The Kruzenshtern came out of the rain like a ghost ship and took off.  Many of the skippers prepared dinner on the Dinghy's grill with the Mahi Mahi caught by Dan Stadtlander the major ingredient.  Awards tomorrow!

14 June 2200 - Email from Glory:  "I reckon we're half way across the Gulf Stream, and currently bucking an easterly current. Lot of showers today and several t-storms last night. I'm fine: plenty to eat, but water supplies getting skimpy. Still headed for Newport, Alternatives, about 35 nm closer are Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard."
Several of us drove to Hamilton to see both the Tall Ships and the Fitted Dinghy match racing.  We went on two of the Tall Ships; the Coast Guard Eagle and the Russian ship Kruzenshtern.  Afterwards Dan and Mike Stadtlander, Doug and Monica Campbell, Peter McCrea and I went to the Hog Penney Pub for lunch; a quaint old Bermudian pub.

14 June 0800 - A fish fry was held last night at the new restaurant Polaris which is in the bottom part of the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club.  Today, Sunday, the Fitted Dinghy match racing is being held in Hamilton in front of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club; some of us will be venturing down there.  The Tall Ships are still here in Bermuda.  They will be doing a parade starting at noon to St. Georges where at 4 pm they will do a start for Charlestown.  Some of us hope to observe this from on the water.

13 June 1700 - Robert Patenaude of Perseverance would like to thank one of our sponsors, Jim Watson of Gougeon Brothers, for their donation of G/flex fiberglass repair kits.  Many skippers donated theirs from the grab bag each skipper received from the race to repair his rudder which was damaged by a whale 10 nm before the finish.  Robert took the rudder off his boat right in the slip.  He let it dry as best he could and is now repairing it with the help of these repair kits.  That worked out great.  Thanks Jim.   This repair should work to get him back on the return race and home where he will get a new rudder.

13 June 0730 - Glory has decided to head back to Newport with the prevailing southwesterly's vice Bermuda.  So we have everyone that is suppose to be here now.  The Dinghy Club put on a Happy Hour with food last night for us.  Dave Sherman on Palangi offered an egg sandwich for me this morning so breakfast was on Palangi, thank you very much.  Today we go snorkeling in Tobacco Bay with our guide Patrick Paley then this evening is a Fish Fry.  Not bad work but someone has to do it!

12 June 0950 - Well all the racing boats are finished.  Curlew and WAFI came in this morning around 0500.  Glory is still out there heading to Bermuda.  He sent the following: Good afternoon, Roy. I'm glad I took your advice and rented a SatPhone. Last night,my autopilot wheel drive crapped out because of bad treatment by the owner. I was carrying a spare wheeldrive as a backup. Amazingly, I had a pair of giant Channel Locks with which I was able to get the wheel nut off the shaft. But If I hadn't been able to call a boatyard owner in Maine at 6:20 this morning to find out how to remove the wheel, I'd still be hand steering in the rain.  I'm currently on a rhumb line course to Mills Breaker, bearing 171M, a distance of almost 244 nm. ETA?? The GPS says 43 hours one minute, 48 the next. I'm doing my best to conserve diesel, but I may be running on "fumes" by the time I get to St. George's. Current position: 36.04.690 066.37.397.
SOCIAL Activities: Wednesday night some folks (not me though) got to see the Glow Worms mating ritual (yes it's true!).  Last night we (yes me too) went to the Swizzle Inn for food, drink and drink and drink and plenty of talk.

11 June 1500 - All boats are in except Curlew, WAFI and Glory.  Glory started moving again towards Bermuda after a period of lack of movement.  WAFI expected here after midnight, Friday and Curlew over the weekend.

11 June 0600 - Looks like Mirari and Relentless finished and I have times for Panacea, Bluebird and EKO.

11 June 0100 - Cordelia, Williwaw and Bent finished about the same time.  Since Bent has had problems with his engine, he had no autopilot so a tow search was sent out and towed him to the quarantine anchorage area.

10 June 2400 - The following more boats have finished; Aggressive, Ariana, Jeroboam (first timer), DragonJ, Warrior's Wish, Weatherly (first timer), Josephine (first timer), Flying Tiger, Frogger and Choucas (first timer).  Josephine's motor would not start after the long journey do Josephine was towed to the Custom's dock and back to St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club. Josephine, Flying Tiger and Frogger were the last boats to go through Customs.  The rest of the boats coming in are anchoring in the quarantine area till Customs opens 0800 tomorrow.  Curlew sends the following in an email: "Curlew and WAFI have been sailing in sight or VHF range of each other since yesterday afternoon. It looks like we are both going to miss the party at the Swizzle Inn tomorrow night. Curlew is 140 nm from Kitchen Shoal. We are doing 5 kts but there is an adverse current reducing our VMG to Kitchen to 3.8 kts. The GPS is advertising 40hr to go at our current rate of progress. If the wind holds through the night and tomorrow we could finish sometime late Thursday night or Friday." Windswept says he is leaving from East Greenwich, RI Thursday around noon and expects to do the return leg with us.

10 June 1200 - We've been busy.  A number of boats have finished today (Wildeyes, Dragon, Perseverance, Dirigo and Acadia (first timer)) as well as two iron genie finishers (Mala & Palangi).  They are lined up to finish it seems.

10 June 0830 - Glory called in to say he needs to get going.  He is stuck in light to no wind and current taking him East.   Jay woke up to a thunderstorm.  Jay will turn on his motor to get out of the current; he has traveled 3 times further East than South.

10 June 0800 - Kontradiction called in his position 33 25N 65 27W with 19 kts at SW doing 7 kts about 67 miles to finish.

10 June 0622 - Acadia called in that he is 10 miles out.  Acadia heard just then that Perseverance spun out 5 minutes earlier and that he was hit by a whale which was still around his boat.  Robert jumped into the water to find his rudder demolished.  Robert is trying to continue to the finish.  Bermuda Radio is aware of the situation.
Both Wildeyes and Dragon have recently finished however I do not have there times.  Nice and sunny here in Bermuda but with little wind from the south.  Hearing conversations with Bermuda Radio from several more boats: Dirigo and Aggressive.

9 June 2000 -   Curlew emailed the following: "We finally broke free of the Gulf Stream this morning as a very nice westerly filled in at 12-14 kts.  We are on course for Kitchen Shoals which is 259 NM or 44 hrs away at the current rate of progress. If I can hold this speed we will be in St. Georges on Thursday evening.   It is more likely that we will arrive on Friday.  Today I saw, dolphins, flying fish, jelly fish & birds.  I spoke with a Norwegian ice breaker, the Amundensen."  Kontradiction called in his position as 34 32N 66 11W.  Toothface called in, had autopilot problems but all is fine now.  I finally heard from Glory who was giving me concern.  I met  Jay's wife on entering George's Dragon restaurant who said he was having fun and had emailed her so she told him to email me. This is from Jay: "Everything's OK here. Spent two days without wind at th mercy of the currents. Got the 152 up yesterday, and have had 24 hours of great sailing."  Cordelia called in that EKO had no way to light her stove so Cordelia, having a spare butane lighter, hailed EKO, slowed down and did an at sea transfer of the butane lighter to EKO so that EKO, Katie, could light her stove.  Josephine, Acadia and DragonJ reported in.  Wildeyes and Dragon getting close, may finish around 0100 Wednesday.

9 June 1000 - The first boat is in.  Cutlass (first timer) finished in just under 4 days at 0954 this morning.  Brian, myself, Alex's mother and girl friend and Peter (friend of Mike Millard) went out to meet Alex out at the finish.  It was very light out there!  This is the first Bermuda One-Two for Alex!

9 June 0800 - Curlew reported in via email: "We were becalmed for half of last night again - lots of rolling and creaking. We now have two big things going for us: 1) we have a nice SE wind around 10 kts letting us lay Bermuda, 2) we have a favorable 2 kt current which is giving us a VGM of 7 kts to Kitchen Shoals. Big beautiful thunder cloud to the west of us which produced a wonderful rainbow this morning. It seems to be passing to the south of us now. It is 80F here and the sun is just barely up. Getting tropical!"
Kontradiction reported his position of 35 20N, 66 34W.  His autopilot failed and he hand steered through the night replacing the linear drive this morning.  He reported winds 20 kts SW with boat moving at 7 kts in 3 foot seas. Ariana called in and reported talking to Jeroboam who complained about running out of grapefruit. Warriors Wish reported in.  Cutlass called into Bermuda and he is near.  Should finish about 1000 EDT.  He is doing 5.4 kts in 4.7 kts of breeze. Mike's mother and girl friend are here and expect to go out to meet him near the finish line, Mills Buoy.

9 June 0630 - Bent called to say that his engine is overheating and after hours of taking the engine apart has determined that he can't figure it out so he is continuing on to Bermuda but may be slow; still has battery power but is conserving so will not be using the autopilot.  He has a handheld GPS with batteries so finding Bermuda wont be a problem.

8 June 2000 - DragonJ reported in and Dragon called in and reported on Acadia, Perseverance, Wildeyes, and Weatherly. Kontradiction reported a position of 36.22N 66.58W making 6.5 knots with wind from SW at 17 kts. He can see DragonJ.  Toothface and Frogger called in and Brad Tripp on Mala reports he started motorsailing at 1200 today to try to get in by Wednesday to meet his family.

8 June 1800 - Received emails from Cutlass and Curlew.  Cutlass says going nicely and expects to be in Bermuda by 9 June AM.  Curlew says he has SW winds finally and is moving nicely towards Bermuda and given current conditions should take 67 hours to get to Bermuda; there's quite a contrast.  Curlew also says that Glory is in the same conditions he was in, no wind and the Gulf Stream taking him East.

8 June 1008 - Cutlass emailed that he is 158 miles from the island and eager to party.  He seems to be moving ok under full main and A2.

8 June 0800 - Cutlass reported in. Dragon reported position and gave positions of Acadia, Perserverance, and Wildeyes.  Reported 2.5 kts from NW.  Warriors Wish, Ariana, Cordellia, and Mirari reported in.  Kontradiction reported a position of 37 00.67N and 67 28.85W with winds of 7.3 kts from 220 degs.  He heard Eko, Panacea and Weatherly talking.  Cordellia reported he had gone into cruising mode dropping his mainsail, fixing breakfast, and doing laundry.  Mirari caught a 49" Mahi Mahi which he was having for breakfast.  He reported hearing Weatherly, Flying Tiger, Panacea and he could see DragonJ. Warriors Wish reported in.  Bluebird reported in via email asking for wind!  Dave Sherman on Palangi has reported that he has turned on his motor at 0100; he needs to meet his daughter on entry to Bermuda.  So it is real slow for most of the fleet but the front of the fleet seems to be moving better now.

7 June 2000 - Dragon reported positions on Perseverance, Acadia, Wildeyes, and Ariana.  Cutlass, Dirigo, Kontradiction, DragonJ and Toothface, reported in. Toothface could see Glory but not communicate.  Looks like everyone is in light conditions and have slowed down.  Kontradictions called and gave his position at 1936,  37 47.8N 067 51.9W.  I am hoping to have his tracker turned off and his inputs displayed on iboattrack.com.

7 June 0930 - Around 1700 Friday my steering started to get really tough and I noticed that my starboard rudder had broken off on the bottom gudgeon. As I was on Port tack, I figured I could tack over and head back to Newport, at this stage approximately 40 miles away. After I tacked over, the rudder situation worsened as the broken rudder made the good one unbalanced and that one broke in the same place. I was down to leeward checking this out when the forestay parted and the mast came down just over my right shoulder. Fast forward, I was able to rig my bowsprit as a sort of jury mast while you guys were sorting out my options, but as I was doing this, I went over the side as the boat was pitching pretty badly. I was clipped in so no big deal except for the cold. Once the decision was made to wait it out and see what I would be able to do in the morning, I tried to stay warm and kept trying to notify my girlfriend and family of the situation as well as contact the insurance company to see what they wanted me to do. At about 0500 Sat. a cruising boat enroute to Block I. sailed past and contacted USCG Montauk Pt. to notify them of my position. I was in contact with them and my dad and because of my being in a state of mild hypothermia, they decided to come out and get me. While they were towing me in, the boat filled with water and was hauled immediately in Montauk. I think it might be a complete loss.
My family got me back late last night and now I'm faced with "What do I do next?". The answer is "I don't know" but like I said, I'm physically ok. How "ok" I am otherwise has yet to be determined.
PLEASE thank everyone who came to my aid, Williwaw, Curlew, Eko, Aggressive, all of them. Not once did I feel stranded out there and it just galvanizes how amazing this group of people really are.

7 June 0800 - The following boats called in; Frogger, Dirigo, Cutless, Mirari, Ariana, Dragon, DragonJ, Cordellia, and Kontradiction. Acadia reported a broken rudder and spinnaker pole. Flying Tiger has a bad spinnaker wrap. Kontradiction lost his iBoat tracker overboard triggering (thus the big approximately 24hr circle for his track) much anxiety in myself and the rest of  the Offshore Committee. Mirari reported he was just getting over severe seasickness. DragonJ was in contact with Palangi, Mirari and Bent. Dragon had miscellaneous problems including mainsheet, and wrapped spinnaker that required a trip up the mast. In general, all competitors reporting N-Ne winds 10=12 knots with sunny skies.  However, here in Bermuda it is cloudy and intermittent rain; they tell me they have had a wicked dry spell and welcome the rain; shucks.
The following is from CURLEW email: After two fast, cold and wet days since leaving Newport the edge of the Gulf Stream is tantalizingly close.  We are in a big high pressure area with very light NW winds. I have the chute and main up and am making 3.5 kts through the water and 4.2 over the ground. We have picked up a favorable current.  Everything is fine on the Curlew. We are just wishing we had some nice SW winds to speed us on our way to Bermuda. The last half of this voyage looks to be a slow one.

7 June 0630 - Dragon called me in the airport of Washington National on my way to Bermuda  He had "fun" yesterday; his spinnaker sheets went under the boat and wrapped on a rudder, a spinnaker problems and the mainsheet traveler had a problem.  He got to go up his mast and go swimming all in one day.  He is wiped out.  Mike also mentioned that Flying Tiger still has her spinnaker wrapped around the forestay and that Acadia has broken a rudder and broken bowsprit.  So much for easy trips!

7 June 0330 - Kontradiction is doing a slow clockwise circle. The Coast Guard has been contacted and will do a fly over around 7am.  Will post when hear results.

6 June 2100 - Received a bunch of calls that ranged from 8 to 16 kts out of the NE; some still in big swells, some in smoother water.  Several folks had spinnaker wraps around the head stay, Wildeyes and Flying Tiger, and Flying Tiger still has a tight wrap and is sailing under full main only until daylight to try again to untangle the spinnaker.  Toothface called to say he is fine and doing well.  DragonJ had a halyard problem which he resolved.  Ariana was happy he didn't put up the spinnaker due to the huge rollers.

6 June 1220 - Received a phone call from JP Mouligne that Eric Lecoq, Kamoa'e, has decided to withdraw and is heading back.  He and the boat are ok.
CARBON NEUTRAL - Still no word on Jay Sharkey however he has been moving and is now just East of Montauk Pt.
RASCAL - Jim Copola ran into auto pilot problems and after spending hours trying to fix it he decided to return home which is where he is now.

6 June 0650 - Dragon called with winds 11 kts NNE.  His forward hatch was leaking which he fixed (tapped it up again) and he developed a rip in the mainsail which he was just about to fix. Warrior's Wish reports 12 kts NNE big rollers, Dragon the same, Ariana says light winds big rollers sloppy conditions, Cordelia reports less than 10kts ESE and he said Aggressive and EKO did a great job relaying comms with Carbon Neutral, Jay Sharkey.  And I would like to thank Mike Hennesey on Dragon for all his relays to me and elsewhere.  Acadia called with NE-E 8-15 kts and SW big swell; very unstable.  Acadia has heard from EKO, Frogger and Relentless.  So it looks like the fleet is into much lighter winds than last night and in the swells left over from last night.
CARBON NEUTRAL - Looks like Jay released Curlew last night about 2100.  I haven't heard anything definite but I am expecting him to start motoring as soon as he can count on the motor staying in the water with smoother water.

5 June 2130 - Well, it's been an interesting evening.  Another boat is heading home and one boat is dismasted.  Rascal is headed home; don't know why.  Carbon Neutral was dismasted this evening.  Jay Sharkey is fine and the boat is fine minus the boom and mast.  Curlew is on station until the sea state gets calm enough for Jay to motor back.  A very eventful first day.
With respect to other reports, Kontradiction said he was in 28-30 kts out of the East and he is having problems with his genoa car but nothing to stop him from continuing.  Cutlass called with 10 kts NE wind doing 7.5 kts.  Dragon said that he was in 16-18 kts.  So the wind is diminishing the farther out one goes and maybe going left.

5 June 1745 - Flying Turtle, Murray Danforth, called to say he is reluctantly withdrawing due to mainsail problems.  He is heading home to Little Compton.

• 5 June - And they are off. again on another Bermuda One-Two.  We had East winds, about 8-10 kts and an outgoing tide.  The starts went well.  WAFI ended up having problems so he won't leave until later and Windswept was unable to get ready in time so he will meander down later and join us for the return leg.  Eric Lecoq started the whole thing leading his Class 5 with a flying first to start.  Robert Patenaude insisted on flying his asym and was last to start and going slow while the rest of Class 2 were walking away from him.  Lindsay Lowe was late to the start, just before Class 6 started, due to some problem.  They are expecting somewhat rough conditions tonight but behind that is real slow conditions.   Check the progress out at iBoatTrack.com (see menu on left).  More to come.

• 28 May - The third in a series of notes on the Gulf Stream by Frank Bohlen has been posted.  The next one will be at the Skippers' Meeting.

• 27 May - The calendar has been updated by our social director (Kristen) with the social activity planned for Bermuda. Click the Calendar menu on the left.

• 18 May - The second in a series of notes on the Gulf Stream by Frank Bohlen has been posted.

• 17May - Robert Patenaude forwarded me the following: "This year I raised money for a cancer research center name (IRIC) Institute of Immunology and Cancer research, more than 250 phd work there, and a couple of americans.  I already have raised $172,000 Canadian dollars; al goes or cancer research.  This is extrodinary."

• 13 May - Unfortunately the Weather Seminar (the 16th) had to be canceled.  Bill is delivering a boat to Europe for the OSTAR and got delayed in transit and thus can't make it.  The Sleep Seminar is still on for Sunday 17 May at 0900 at NYC.

• 3 May - The Open 6.5 Minis have started to come in.

• 21 Apr - Past Commodore of the St. George's Dinghy and Sports Club Andrew Branch and his wife Helen will again join us for the activities leading up to and including the singlehanded start to Bermuda 5 June.

• 31 Mar - Sleep & Weather Seminars - If you want to participate in the seminars and you have not contacted Drew Wood please contact Drew Wood ASAP.  drew@usa650.com or 401-835-2195.

• 7 Mar - Skippers' Forum: About 42 people showed up.  Some of the Sponsors for this year also were present: Cay Electronics, Practical Sailing and Mike Hennessy (Class 40).  We received checks from both Practical Sailing (Joe Cooper) and Class 40 (Mike Hennessy).  Kristen Wenzel arranged to have Frank Bohlen give us Gulf Stream 101 pitch which was very interesting.  Frank has also provided some notes and pictures on the Gulf Stream as it is now which I have posted here (also see menu item on the left).  We had the usual discussion about insurance and John Van Slyke mentioned that he was able to get insurance during the race from Chubb.  We talked about the schedule and the process of going through the Safety Check which is run by Ted Singsen.  It was a wonderful time and all enjoyed the usual gabbing. 

• 6 Mar - Class 40 Weekend: Mike Hennessy provided the following:  "Short handed sailors and others interested about the explosive growth of the Class 40 sailing boats are invited to participate in seminars and training events that will be held on the weekend of May 30th. Class 40's participating in the 2009 Bermuda 1-2 will be gathering at the Newport Yacht Club on Saturday, May 30th in advance of the race. Those who are interested in this exciting box rule class are invited to come to the Club on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 to tour the boats and hear about the class. Sailors interested in potentially buying a Class 40 will have the opportunity come sailing with Class 40's on Sunday as they head out for several hours of boat-on-boat training. For more information, contact Michael Hennessy at michael. hennessy @ citi. com"

• 5 Mar - Sleep & Weather Seminars - We have finalized the dates for the Sleep and Weather seminars: Weather on 16 May 9am-4:30pm and Sleep Seminar 17 May 9am-6pm.  Dr. Claudio Stampi and Bill Biewenga, who have done this in the past for us, will do it again.  Please let Drew Wood know if you would like to participate.  The cost will be $200 for either single day or $300 for both days.  Checks can be made out and sent to:
Drew Wood
525 E. Walker St.
League City, TX 77573
If signing up for only one day, please specify which seminar you will be attending.

• 4 Mar - Skippers' Representative Kristen Wenzel has announced that we will have the following briefers at the June 4th Skippers' Meeting before the single handed start:
Gulfstream: Frank Bohlen - University of Connecticut Department of Marine Sciences, Professor
Weather: Joe Sienkiewicz - NOAA National Weather Service, Ocean Prediction Center

• 25 Feb - The March newsletter has been posted.

• 9 Feb - The first Class 40 has signed up; Mike Hennessy in Dragon.

• 20 Jan - As I hear from the skippers I will post here those that I hear are intending to race in 2009:  Sam Ausmus III, Roger Billings, Doug and Monica Campbell, Marvin Clements, Jay Cushman, Simon Day, Mike Dreese (Class 40), Rusty Duym, Ted Fisher, Don Gray, Jonathan Green, Brian Guck, Mike Hennessy on is new Class 40, Denver Hopkins in his new proto Mini, USA578, Jack Ives, Ben Jelic on his  J/12, Eric Johnson, Bob Kemp on Hideaway, Eric Le Coq (Class 40), Yves Lepine on his 45 Open Atlantix Express, Jim Linsley, Lindsay Lowe, Rick McCally, Peter McCrea, Pat McFadden, Alex Mehran (Class 40), Louis Meyer, Robert Patenaude, Chris Pitts, Doug Pope, John Ryan (Class 40), Jay Sharkey (he bought Duncan Gladman's mini #415), Dave Sherman, Dan Stadtlander, Mike Stevens, Gust StringosJohn Van Slyke, Kristen Wenzel.

• 19 Jan - I was told recently after confirming my reservations in St. Geroge's that all of Bermuda is filling up due to the Tall Ships being in Bermuda before and while we are there (they are suppose to be moving from St. George's to Hamilton before we arrive in St. George's). So if you are thinking of making reservation for family, etc., I would look into it real soon now!

• 16 Jan - PHRF-NB forms will be mailed out for renewals in early March.  New 2009 Forms for those that do not have a PHRF-NB certificate will be able to be downloaded by early March at www.phrf-nb.org.

• 29 Nov - Wow, we are up to 4 entrants and all are new to the Bermuda One-Two.

• 22 Nov - We have received our first applicants for next year's race.  Click on Scratch Sheet to the left.

• 14 Nov - Well I finally got the NOR and Application sent out via email today.  You can download them from the menus on the left.

• 9 Oct - Joe Cooper has postponed the Medical Seminar till maybe February 2009.  He only had 5 takers.

6 Oct - I have posted the October 2008 Newsletter.

11 Sept - The following is from Joe Cooper with respect to the Medical seminar scheduled for the 1/2 November weekend:

• 25 Aug - Sam Ausmus, acting President of the Mini Class US, tells me that they are expecting anywhere from 10 to 15 minis for the 2009 Bermuda One-Two.

23 Aug - I have added a new feature which is a matrix of those skippers that have done the single handed leg over all the years.  I am still missing years 93 and 95 at this point.  Click on "Past Races" on the left then "races" at the top.

20 Aug - The following two items are changes to the safety rules for next year:
- For 2007 we grandfathered covered life lines. As of 2009, life lines will have to be bare which has been an Offshore requirement.
- White flares are being replaced by battery driven spot lights (not plug-in).

20 Aug - I have received two pictures from Lisa Fournier (spouse of the late Al Fournier and both Bermuda One-Two alumni) of skippers from the 1986/87 time frame which I have posted on the website; Past Races > 1987.  George & Mary Beth Pike  identified most of the skippers but if anyone can help fill in the names that would be appreciated.

11 Aug - Mac Smith, past Bermuda One-Two skipper alumnus, and George Pike, past event chair, provided me with information from past races so I am slowly adding results to the "Past Races" section.

8 Aug - George Pike was informed recently that Francis Stokes has died Sunday 3 August 2008.  He resided in Maine.  Francis participated in at least the first 3 Bermuda One-Two's  (1977, 1979 and 1981) and he participated in the first BOC Around the World Solo Race and finished second in Class 2.  Francis also did at least one Transatlantic Race.  Any one with additional information on Francis please let me know.

7 Aug - I now have only one 2007 T-shirts which is a Medium.   $15.

29June - 3 July - Well, I witnessed first hand a return leg from Bermuda on John Van Slyke's new boat Dragon.  Granted it wasn't single handed or double handed however it still was a 4 day offshore trip and through the Gulf Stream.  Bermuda One-Two participants were represented again in the Newport to Bermuda Race including John Van Slyke, Mike Millard, Bjorn Johnson, Joe Harris, Tristan Mouligne and Kristen Wenzel.  John wanted to say a few words about the trip (slightly embellished I would say).
My good friends and fellow mariners, I bring you great news. Our fearless leader and race director, Roy Guay, has taken a first hand look at the course. Roy along with Kris Wenzel were on board DRAGON during our return from the Newport to Bermuda Race. Owing to a "disturbance" over the Gulf Stream, mother nature made sure that Roy saw and was able to experience virtually every kind of wind and sea condition on this passage with the exceptions of fog and flat calm.
After about 100 miles of truly beautiful sailing out of Bermuda, the winds picked up very substantially. The big show came as we made our way through the southern part of the Gulf Stream. This part of the passage included winds of 20 to 25 with gusts to 35 knots and seas of 15 to 20 with some peaks as high as 30 feet. This was rock and roll at its best. The northern wall was not nearly as windy, and the sea state subsided. But this stretch featured extreme weather, including torrential downpours, huge thermals with powerful cold downdrafts, and wall clouds with tornados drooping down out of them. Cool, eh. Once on the other side of the stream, sea states moderated and the winds again picked up. We were able to make 10 to 11 knots coming into Narragansett Bay. Overall we made very good time. Another J Boat that left Bermuda when we did (the boat that Kris sailed down on to Bermuda) was 100 miles back down the track.
During the entire trip, DRAGON was heeled consistently at about 30 degrees. Moving about the cabin required care and balance. It also got damp down below as a result of all of the soaking foul weather gear. I am delighted to report that through it all, including the bumpy stretch, our leader, Roy, was calm, cool, collected, and a contributing member of the crew onboard DRAGON. -- John Van Slyke Jr.

19 Mar - Photos for years 2003 and 2005 were added to the Bermuda One-Two SkyDrive.

15  Mar - I just created a new page (link on the left)  for those Bermuda One-Two skippers who wouldn't mind being mentors for potential future Bermuda One-Two skippers.  Contact me and I'll put you in contact with these skippers.

8 Mar - A bunch of Bermuda One-Two folks participated in the CCA Safety At Sea Seminar at the Hyatt, Newport, RI:  Jim Linsley, Tristan M, Doug Shearer, John Van Slyke, John McCrea, Mike Hennesey, Eric Johnson, Bjorn Johnson, Peter Bourke, Bob Manchester, Dave McLoughlin, Bob Kemp.  Most were there since they will be racing in this year's CCA Newport to Bermuda Race however Doug Shearer and I were there to keep up with ideas in the Safety world however in my case it just scared me more!  After the seminar a few of us ended up at the Newport Yacht Club for drinks and discussion: Mike Hennesey, John McCrea, Dave MacLoughlin, Bob Kemp and I.  John McCrea says he will be doing the Solo/Twin Race this year.  Bob Kemp is getting his boat ready for the Bermuda One-Two next year and Mike Hennesey is still waiting for his new Class 40.

• 4 Mar - As mentioned at the Skippers' Forum, I have set up a shared area on Microsoft's SkyDrive where I have stored the pictures I have been given from last year's race.  The link is http://bermuda12.spaces.live.com and the pictures can be downloaded to your computer.  The pictures are in their original resolution unlike the reduced pictures shown here.

• 1 Mar - We held the Spring Skippers' Forum/Shore Party.  We had more people show up than I expected; at least 20 people including Steve Perry from Florida, Lindsay Lowe from Baltimore, MD and Doug, Monica Campbell from Berverly, NJ and Peter McCrea from Thomaston, ME.  Several new people showed up hoping to do the race in 2009.  The first order of business was to elect a new Skipper's Representative.  It was unanimous , Kristen Wenzel was voted as the next Skipper's Representative.  Kristen was quite quite helpful in 2007 with handling entertainment in Bermuda and finding sponsorship which helped defray the costs of the tracking devices.  Kristen will be a good addition.  I would like to thank Ray Renaud for his work as Skipper's Representative for the past two plus years.  I reviewed the responses to the questionnaire I sent out last October.  Only 8 people responded and and all but one said to keep the race length (time) as it has been. Patrick Nugent sent me a DVD he put together with many photos from last year's race to music.  I showed it at the meeting.  We may be able to have copies made if people are interested.  Speaking of pictures, I am looking into storing the pictures I have in their original resolution so that anyone can download them.  More to come on that.

• 16 Feb - Brian Oatley (St. George's Dinghy & Sports Club) tells me that Verna Oatley has retired from supporting the offshore races including teh Bermuda One-Two and that he has taken over her role.  Verna has been involved with the Bermuda One-Two since the beginning in 1977 and every race since.  We will miss her at the Dinghy Club and hearing her voice over the PA System.  Brian says that the Dinghy Club is doing some renovations.  Brian also says that with respect to the 2009 Bermuda One-Two race, 2009 is the 400th anniversary of both the town of  St. George's and Bermuda and hopefully there will be some celebrations while we are there.  Also, the 15th of June will be the Queen's Birthday Holiday which means that (weather permitting) Fitted Dinghy Racing will be on the Sunday (14th) and the Monday in Mangrove Bay in Somerset.  This is a popular event that many skippers go to observe.

• 27 Jan - The March 2008 Newsletter was just emailed and is available for downloading.

• 26 Jan - I have added a new section on the left, "Past Skipper", for those skippers that have done the Bermuda One-Two that have passed away.  I have listed three skippers but I don't know a lot about them.  If you have any information on these three or any others that I do not have would you please send me a note.  Thanks

• 5 Jan - The next Skipper's Forum/Party is scheduled for 1 March at Newport Yacht Club.  A new Skipper's Representative will be voted in at the Forum.

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• 25 Dec - I started posting some pictures from this year's race.

• 12 Dec - We have set up the dates for the 17th 2009 Bermuda One-Two race.  The following is what is scheduled: Thursday 4 June - Skippers' Meeting, Friday 5 June 2009 - Single handed start Newport to Bermuda, Monday 15 June - Queen's Birthday, Tuesday 16 June - Awards in Bermuda, Wednesday 17 June - Skippers' Meeting, Thursday 18 June - Double handed start Bermuda to Newport.

• 3 Nov - Bjorn Johnson told us that Jeff Spranger (previous Bermuda One-Two Event Chair) went under the knife last Tuesday 30 October for a hip replacement.  Jeff went home Friday and he is doing very good.

• 3 Nov - The next Skippers' Forum/Party is scheduled for 1 March, 2008, 4 pm at the Newport Yacht Club.

• 3 Nov - The Skippers' Party was held Saturday with about 25 people attending.  Muffin provided food for the bunch.  There were a couple of new folks who are planning on participating in the 2009 race.  One of them, Jack Ives, was in Bermuda for the return leg of the 2007 Bermuda One-Two (arrived via the Marion/Bermuda Race) and took some wonderful pictures from the cut.  Jack handed out some that he brought and will be sending me a DVD with the pictures on them.  It was very good to see a bunch of the group again.  Of course, there were plenty of stories.  Preceding the party was the meeting of the Shorthanded Sailing Association chaired by Joe Cooper.

• 10 Oct - Another study has been done on Radar Reflectors this time by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch in England.  Check it our from the US SAILING website.

• 18 Sept  - The October newsletter has been emailed and is posted here now.  Click on the newsletter menu on the left.  On Saturday 3 November, we will be having the fall Bermuda One-Two Skippers' Party at 1700 at the Newport Yacht Club.  See the newsletter for details.

• 17 Sept  - Announcing the next Skippers' Party on 3 November at 5 pm at the Newport Yacht Club.  This is a departure from past years in that we will not have a formal Skippers' Forum and thus the election of Skipper's Representative will be in March 08 instead.  It is felt that there isn't much to talk about with respect to the next race in 2009 but many things to gab about and thus the desire to continue the connectivity with the skippers.  Hors d'oeurvs will be provided given the idea that folks will go out to eat locally after the party.  The Fall newsletter should be going out soon and will be posted here also.