The Bermuda One-Two is a shorthanded classic (Newport to Bermuda singlehanded, and Bermuda back to Newport doublehanded). If (when; shh, don’t tell my wife…) I get into shorthanded ocean racing, this is a race that I would definitely like to do. But since I am deskbound for the moment, I have to live the race vicariously through the exploits of Boston-based Joe Harris. I got to know Harris through a sleep seminar we took with Dr. Claudio Stampi, and he is living the dream: cashing in commercial real estate success to buy Brad Van Liew’s old Open 50 Around Alone winner, so he can race the oceans solo. Harris, whose campaign is called Gryphon Solo, is gearing up for his own Around Alone campaign and just finished second in class on the Newport-Bermuda solo leg. He wrote a very interesting race report, which conveys very well the fact that solo racing is, err, potentially painful. Just read:
The first leg from Newport to Bermuda really split the fleet. The larger and faster boats made it to Bermuda on one weather system while the smaller boats got stuck in very light winds and had a much longer passage. For Gryphon Solo, after a Friday, June 3rd start, we crossed the finish line off St. David’s Light in Bermuda on Monday morning after 70 hours, with an average speed of about nine knots. By contrast, a number of the smaller boats were still finishing on Thursday and Friday, meaning they were at sea for more than double the time I was. Sometimes having a fast boat really pays off! Gryphon Solo placed second in class and second in the fleet for a very strong showing.
In each race, sailors encounter difficulties involving equipment and injuries and this race was no exception. Here is the wounded report:
Gore Tex – Skipper fell into a winch, breaking a number of front teeth
Dirigo – broken boom, retired from race
Alegria – electrical fire just before the start caused skipper to withdraw
Nimros – A water tank burst and flooded the boat. A Coast Guard rescue helicopter was dispatched as the skipper thought he was sinking, but the problem was discovered and the boat continued on.
Strummer – A jammed rudder caused steering problems but the problem was fixed
Passages – This is the only boat remaining at sea. There has been no direct communication with the skipper in four days and the “iboat” tracking device aboard shows the boat is moving in a northeasterly direction (towards New England) at one to two knots. The Coast Guard is being consulted for a possible rescue…
You can read the rest of Harris’ reports here. The doublehanded leg back starts Thursday, and if it’s interesting we’ll perch on Harris’ shoulder…
Joltin’ Joe Harris: “Uh-oh. I think I remembered everything but the hair gel…”
The Earthist Chronicles 