New Race to Bermuda

Much as we would have liked the America’s Cup to return to San Francisco in 2017, Bermuda will take center stage for the 35th edition. So picture this: you’re already in Antigua for the 50th edition of Antigua Sailing Week on April 29-May 5, 2017. You and your friends need to get yourself and your yachts to Bermuda in time for the America’s Cup activities. Hmm, a bunch of boats need to get from point A to point B at the same time… sounds like a race!

Royal Bermuda YC has announced that the inaugural Antigua Bermuda Race will follow the 2017 Antigua Sailing Week. The new race is designed to offer an exciting passage to Bermuda. "The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club sees the Antigua Bermuda Race as an opportunity to have some fun getting to Bermuda in time for the month-long America’s Cup celebrations," comments the race chair, Les Crane.

The Antigua Bermuda Race will be open to classic and contemporary monohulls and multihulls with a minimum 40-ft  length, holding a valid IRC and/or CSA Rating Certificate or Superyacht rating. Dual scoring will be provided. Cruiser Racers will be able to take advantage of a motoring allowance.

The 935-mile course will start off Fort Charlotte, Antigua, take Antigua and Bermuda to port, and finish off St. David’s Light. In early May the northern limits of the trade winds can extend as far as 28° north. Easterly or southeasterly winds are common for the first half of the passage, resulting in reaching or running with the trades. Light southerly winds are common in the Horse Latitudes of the Sargasso Sea, and the finish in Bermuda is likely to be more tactical and a change of pace from the fast-surfing conditions of the trades.

Registration will open on November 1, 2016, but pre-registration is already available. To stay informed, signed up at on the event’s Potential Participant Survey.