Canadian Contingent Growing for June’s Newport Bermuda Race
Mar 16, 2022
The 635-mile biennial Newport Bermuda Race is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race, one of very few international distance races, and (with the Transpac Race) one of just two of the world’s regularly scheduled races held almost entirely out of sight of land. Founded in 1906, the 52nd running of the Bermuda Race is scheduled for June 2022.
Its purpose was stated in 1923 by Cruising Club of America Commodore Herbert L. Stone: “In order to encourage the designing, building, and sailing of small seaworthy yachts, to make popular cruising upon deep water, and to develop in the amateur sailor a love of true seamanship, and to give opportunity to become proficient in the art of navigation …”
A total of 170 boats entered the race in 2018. The largest fleet, 265 boats, sailed in the centennial race in 2006. The second largest, 197 boats turned out in 2008.The race attracts sailors from across North America and the globe. This year’s fleet is growing rapidly and is now over 200 boats including nine Canadian entries.
Canadian entries
Bella J, CAN 54554, a J133, owner and skipper Ray Rhinelander of the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club, St. John’s, Newfoundland has been actively racing on the East Coast for many years, most recently in the 2022 RORC Caribbean 600 in February.
Blue Jay III, CAN 1033, a J133, owner and skipper Matt Stokes of the Bras d’Or Yacht Club, Baddeck, NS.
Dragonfly, CAN 50500, a J130, owned and skippered by Keith Amirault Past Commodore, Royal Western Nova Scotia Yacht Club, Digby Nova Scotia.
Killua, pictured left / Il Mostro, pictured right
Killua, a Dehler 38C, owner, skipper CCA Past Commodore Jim Binch of New Canaan, CT, originally from Toronto. On board with jim are Toronto based CCA members Andrew McTavish and Rob Emery.
Il Mostro, MHL 1948, Volvo 70–Atlas Ocean Racing – Skipper, Gilles Barbot of Montreal and Ian Struthers of Toronto. They recently sailed Il Mostro in the 2022 St. Maarten Heineken Regatta in early March.
Macintosh, pictured left
Macintosh, CAN 34539, a custom Cartwright 44, owned and skippered by Dirk Steigenga of the Chester Yacht Club, Chester, Nova Scotia
Pandora, CAN 25, C&C 115 owned and skippered by Peter Bromley of the RNSYS, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Sailed the 2017 Marion to Bermuda Race.
YYZ, USA2112, Jeanneau 53, owned and skippered by CCA member Justin Bonar of Stamford, CT, originally from Toronto. Under Bonar’s command she won her class in the 51st Newport Bermuda Race in 2018.
Zoe II, CAN 52543, a Beneteau First 40, owned and skippered by Francois Brassard of the Quebec Yacht Club, Quebec City, QC
YYZ, pictured left / Zoe II, pictured right
