New Division Assignment Method

The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee has introduced a performance screen for the 2014 Newport Bermuda Race. The purpose is to identify modern lightweight, high-performance boats with large sail plans for assignment to the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division, and more traditional boats for assignment to the St. David’s Lighthouse Division.

“In the past, the division break was based on the nature of the crew,” said Race Chairman Fred Deichmann. “Boats with professional helmsmen must sail in Gibbs Hill, and boats with amateur helmsmen may sail in either St. David’s or Gibbs Hill. That’s still the rule, but now that amateur crews are racing very high-performance boats, design characteristics will be taken into account so that like boats compete for the same trophies.”- Full report