Bermuda One-Two Gearing Up for 2017

Once again short-handed sailors can mark their calendars for the 21st biennial Bermuda One-Two Race, whose single-handed leg will depart from Newport, RI on June 2, 2017 for St. George, Bermuda with the double-handed return leg to depart from St. George on June 15.

The race was originally conceived and founded in 1977 by the Society of Lone Offshore Sailors (SOLOS) under the direction of OSTAR competitor Jerry Cartwright. Presently the Bermuda One-Two is managed by the Newport (RI) Yacht Club. The St. George’s Dingy & Sports Club has been the host club in Bermuda for the event’s entire history.

A primary goal of the Bermuda One-Two has been to help develop sailors into confident and knowledgeable circumnavigators and cruising skippers. This is accomplished via mentoring first-time participants as well as through published reports. The reports often focus on how individuals have addressed problems they may have encountered at sea, especially those that tend to contribute to improvements in boat handling, sailing gear and sail handling.

In a spirit that recognizes the full breadth of short-handed sailing, the race organizers present awards that range from the traditional line and time honors, to those for the oldest participant, most races completed, family participants, sportsmanship, seamanship and first-time participants.

Not surprisingly, the experience gained from the Bermuda One-Two has led some of its alumni to embark on longer single-handed voyages and races, such as the Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR), the Europe Two-STAR, and the BOC, Around Alone single-handed circumnavigation race.

Illustrious alumni include Steve Pettengill, Floyd Romack, George Stricker, Neal Petersen, Nigel Rowe, Josh Hall, and the late Harry Mitchell. Three veterans, Brad Van Liew, Derrick Hatfield, and Alan Paris have competed in the Round Alone Race. Jonathan Green was the overall IRC winner of the 2013 OSTAR. Joe Harris, a recent race participant, has just completed a single handed circumnavigation. For many, it all began with the Bermuda One-Two.

For sailors looking for a multi-day, offshore solo race, within a community of like-minded cruisers and hard-core racers, the Bermuda One-Two presents a unique opportunity. As an added benefit during the 2017 edition, the racers’ time in Bermuda should overlap with the America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs.

For more information: www.bermuda1-2.org

Source: Roy Guay