Drift-fest for Marion Bermuda Race

(June 13, 2017; Day 5) – The fleet in the Marion Bermuda Race fleet got smaller as dramatically light winds this afternoon have led to the retirement of three more boats.

Ray Cullum in ‘Frolic’ a McMullen & Wing Dixon 44 was becalmed, Robert Purcell’s ‘Swell’ a Beneteau 40 had no wind and Kenneth Olsen’s ‘Skellum’ an Oyster 47 in persistent light air have all ended their races are proceeding to Bermuda under power.

The retirees now total seven with 42 boats remaining in the race.

Leading the tightly bunched fleet was ‘Jambi’, a new Hinckley Bermuda 50 skippered by John Levinson, which was 89.4 nm from the finish as of 1930 EDT.

Race details – Entry list – Tracker – Race blogs – Facebook

Background: The first Marion-Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race in 1977 saw 104 starters cross the line. Over the forty years since that first race the race has evolved into a true offshore challenge for cruising yachts, amateur, family and youth sailors. Special prizes abound to emphasis celestial navigation, short handed sailing. Family crews and regional competition. The race is handicapped under the ORR rating system to assure the fairest scoring available for ocean racing yachts.

Source: Talbot Wilson