Marion Bermuda Race leader closes in on finish line

(June 22, 2015; Day 4) – The scratch boat in the Marion Bermuda Race fleet continues to lead the fleet to Bermuda. As the Meriten 65 Mischievous rockets down the rhumb line to Bermuda at 10-11kts, her arrival time is now estimated to be 1900 ADT in Bermuda.

The sleek white sloop, skippered by Charles Cahill, is the ‘big boat’ in the Mass Maritime Academy stable. She is being sailed by a youthful crew of cadets and for much of the race has been the leader of Class A on corrected time, but now is 4th. Chip Johns’ Baltic 58 ‘Margalo’ now stands first in Class A on Corrected time according to Yellow Brick data. ‘Defiance’ the Swan 56 is second and the J46 ‘Ariel’ has moved into 3rd.

Two boats from Class A have retired. ‘Kiva’ an Aerodyne 47 ripped her mainsail and ‘Free Range Chicken’ had a rigging failure.

The US Naval Academy boats are dominating Class B. ‘Swift’ NA11 skippered by Kyle Briggs has been a hot performer for the past year and in spite of being the lowest, slowest handicapped boat in Class B has punched her way into the corrected time lead. ‘Swift’ also leads the Celestial Navigation Division. ‘Defiance’ NA23 skippered by Jared Velaske is 2nd and ‘Integrity’ NA22 skippered by Tom Wester is 3rd.

The 54-foot Alden ketch Legacy V retired after one of her crew died aboard of natural causes. Bill Fasnacht apparently had a heart attack. His crew mates could not revive him after an hour of CPR. Details.

The lowest, slowest handicapped boat in Class C, ‘Silhouette’, a Cherubini 44 skippered by David Caso, is also the corrected time leader. Standing 2nd is ‘Black Mallard’ a Cardinal 46 skippered by Tracy Day McRoberts, the top female skipper in the race. ‘Attitude’. A Beneteau 423 skippered by Shawn Dahlen is 3rd.

The smallest boats, those in Class D, are led by ‘TI’ an Alden Mistral 36 sailed by Gregg Marston. Following in 2nd is ‘Trust Me’ the Moody 47 skippered by Jeff Dowling. In 3rd is the ‘Free Spirit’ sailed by Thomas Stokes. Is Fearr Cara has retired.

‘Spirit of Bermuda’, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation’s sail training vessel chartered by Jim Butterfield, is in a strong position compared to past Marion Bermuda Races. She is standing 4th for the line honors position. She is flying on a reach right down the rhumb line sailing at over 10kts VMG to her home port.

By Tuesday, winds 75% down the course where most of the fleet should be are predicted to be westerly and then back more to the southwest.

For a look at wind and current predictions, go to PassageWeather.com

Race website: www.marionbermuda.com

Report by Talbot Wilson.

Background: The 20th edition of the Marion to Bermuda Race attracted 45 boats which started the 645 nm contest on Friday, June 19. Since its inception in 1977, the biennial race seeks to appeal to a broad range of cruising and racing enthusiasts. The spirit of the race is one focused on Family and Fun, and all yachts and crew are participating for the joy and pleasure of sailing, competition, and the camaraderie that accompanies an offshore event. The race is sponsored by Beverly Yacht Club, The Blue Water Sailing Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club.