February 5th, 2015
Greetings!

While those of us up north have been digging ourselves out of mountains of snow, we've been dreaming of the pink sand beaches of Bermuda. Now is an excellent time to begin or complete your registration for the 2015 race. Spots are filling up fast, and with the number of programs and exciting events we're announcing over the next few weeks, we wouldn't want you to miss your chance!

Among those programs is the registration incentive for the 2017 Marion to Bermuda Race. We acknowledge that with the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda in June of 2017 there will be a higher-than-usual demand for dock space and accommodations on our favorite island. To ensure our participants are able to enjoy their experience in Bermuda, we are giving priority registration for 2017 to all skippers and crew who participate in this year's race. The Marion to Bermuda Race will go on as planned in 2017, to be held in the early part of June, likely immediately preceding the America's Cup final. Read more about the program below.

In addition, the Safety at Sea Seminar has added two more afternoon sessions to allow for increased participation. Spots are filling up, and at least 30% of each race crew must have attended a SAS Seminar in the last five years to be eligible to race. We, of course, recommend that all race and return crew have SAS training as safety is our number one priority.

Read on for more exciting developments as we count down the days to the race! 

Save the Date:  June 19, 2015!

 
 
Preference in 2017 to be given to 2015 registrants

With the 35th America's Cup venue announcement came many questions for the organizers and participants of the Marion to Bermuda Race. The various organizing bodies and committees have come together to offer a guarantee to all of our loyal and returning skippers and crew-All 2015 boats will be given priority registration for the 2017 race, which will finish in Bermuda shortly before the start of the 35th America's Cup final. 

The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, the Marion to Bermuda Race's home in Bermuda, has committed to providing dock space to all returning boats in June of 2017. In addition, the race is continuing to work with our other partners on the island to ensure accommodations and entertainment will also remain readily available for our participants.

Saving Your Best Friend's Life with Safety at Sea

 

What you can learn at a Safety at Sea seminar may save your best friend's life, and help you calmly manage a crisis at sea.  Safety at Sea seminars are required for 30% of the crew participating in the Marion Bermuda and Marblehead Halifax races and all of the major East coast offshore races.  Safety at Sea seminars are also recommended for return delivery crews and other offshore sailors, as well as for skippers and crew of coastal races and those sailors interested in improving safety knowledge for long distance passage-making.

  

The U.S. Sailing sanctioned Safety at Sea Symposium will be held on March 21-22, 2015 at the comfortable and scenic University of Massachusetts/Boston campus. Details and Registration may be found HERE. 

 

A sailor who attended the 2011 Safety at Sea seminar recently experienced being aboard a sinking vessel on a delivery from Honduras to Turks & Caicos.  He indicated that "the whole experience: attempt at saving the vessel, abandon ship, life raft experience and rescue by a passing container ship all ran exactly as is covered in the safety at sea lecture. I cannot stress enough the value of this training in calmly managing the crisis while maintaining personal safety during a midnight to 0400 crisis at sea." 

 

Due to high demand, there will be a morning and afternoon program schedule on Sunday, each consisting of options to attend Medical, Understanding Weather & Gulf Stream and/or In-Water Hands-On Training courses.    

 

The Safety at Sea Symposium is organized by The Blue Water Sailing Club, one of the three hosting clubs of the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race, and is proudly sponsored by Landfall Navigation.

 

 

Bermuda to Offer Discounts and Specials for All MBR Racers

 

The Bermuda Tourism Authority has elevated the Marion to Bermuda Race to a "Signature Event." The accolade is a result of many years of successful partnership between the race and the island, providing our participants with not only sailing activities but also cultural, culinary and tourism adventures as well. 

 

The Bermuda Tourism Authority has committed to assisting in promoting the race through digital channels, as well as assisting in the organization and execution of the race and race events.  "We consider the race to be another great event to leverage sailing experiences here and generate a new generation of visitors for Bermuda tourism, and we offer our full support," said Pat Phillip-Fairn, Chief Product & Experiences Development Officer at BTA. 

"The accolade is not only fantastic for the race itself but also for the participants," said Ray Cullum, Marion to Bermuda's Director of Marketing. "In partnership with the BTA we will be able to offer our competitors and their guests a number of discounts, special tours and other perks as a part of the Signature Event package that will entice race participants to extend their stay and enjoy the beautiful island of Bermuda."

 

 
Maine to Marion Rally

Skippers and boats from Maine are encouraged to register for the Maine to Marion to Bermuda Yacht Rally beginning June 15th in South Freeport. Complimentary moorings will be provided by the Haraseeket Yacht Club.

The Rally is sure to be the most fun way to deliver your boat from the Pine Tree state to the starting line of the 2015 Marion Bermuda Race. With parties, entertainment, camaraderie and a little competition, the rally is something all Mainers would be sad to miss! 

Rally participants are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the race. It is a fantastic way for anyone to bring their boat a little further south for the summer for some Buzzard's Bay exploring! Registration is open now. 
What's Going on in BDA- Ben Ainsle Racing

 

 

While most of the northern hemisphere continues to be bombarded by snowstorms and cold temperatures, Ben Ainsle Racing Team has transplanted to Bermuda to begin their first round of training on The Great Sound. Check out the footage from their first on-water training, as well as the start of their vital safety training.
Boats Wanted for Offshore Youth Challenge

The 2015 Marion Bermuda Race is the first Category 1 ocean race to offer a trophy class for 16 to 23 year old sailors. New to the 2015 race is the Offshore Youth Challenge Trophy.


 

The Marion Bermuda Race Offshore Youth Challenge Trophy was created to enable young adult sailors

to experience the challenge of sailing offshore ina USSER Oceans event in the accompaniment of experienced

adult mentors.

 

Destiny, Winner Class B

The class is open to sailors between the ages of 16 and 23 years

of age. A youth sailor must be 16 years of age or older by June 18, 2015 but not over 23 years of age by the same date. A minimum of four Youths must be aboard to qualify as an Offshore Youth Challenge boat. One or more adults must be aboard and must be at least 23 years of age by June 18, 2015.

 

If you have a boat that is capable of qualifying for an USSER Oceans level offshore event, consider enabling a group of young enthusiastic sailors the opportunity to experience a voyage of a lifetime. Visit the Marion Bermuda Race web site for more details on this new trophy and the complete requirements.
Marion Bermuda Race |  editor@marionbermuda.com | http://www.marionbermuda.com
PO Box 916
Marion, MA 02738

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