The 53rd Thrash to the Onion Patch started out with unprecedented fanfare, a new starting line at Fort Adams, a live show broadcast to thousands, tricky conditions including a full moon tide and ebbing wind for the later starts, the CYOA members breezed through it all. For the first time ever, spectators were able to gather at Fort Adams to watch the prestigious Newport Bermuda Race start, and no one puts on a show like the gorgeous classics. Representing the CYOA were Jesse Terry’s Abigail, Ben Sperry’s Gentian, Austin and Gwen Fragomen’s Black Watch, Dan Litchfield’s Hound, Rob McAlpine’s Restive and Carter Bacon’s Solution.
Dan Litchfield’s Aage Nielsen 59 Hound ran away with the race taking 2nd place in the highly competitive St. David’s Lighthouse Division behind overall winner legendary McCurdy & Rhodes Carina. Hound wound up with a 30-minute penalty added to their corrected time for crossing the starting line early which ultimately cost them the title. This was the 13th N2B for Hound and they easily won their Class (SDL 5).
Ben Sperry’s team aboard Gentian were all smiles at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club docks as they realized they’d taken an overall 3rd place in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division behind Carina and fellow CYOA member Hound. They were 1st in their class, SDL 1. Gentian is a 1936 NY32 powered by CYOA sponsor Sperry Sails. This was Ben Sperry’s 5th Thrash but for most of his crew this was a first. What a way to start out your Bermuda Race career!
CYOA contributing writer Jesse Terry has been vocal about his team’s preparation for the Bermuda Race, including what it’s been like to get his Alden 39 up to snuff for such an intense race. Abigail successfully finished the race and we’re hoping to get some first hand ruminations from Terry soon.
Black Watch is a familiar face at CYOA events, often taking line honors. Built to race to Bermuda in 1938, Black Watch went out for her 13th Thrash this June with Gwendolyn Fragomen at helm. The Sparkman and Stephens Custom Yawl sailed to a 10th place finish in the highly competitive and speedy Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division. Fragomen and her team had this classic racer just a minute behind Adrenaline Yachting’s modern Hydromec. 86 years later and Black Watch is still showing off her Bermuda prowess. This was a first N2B for both Gwen and Austin Fragomen.
Rob McAlpine headed out for his 3rd Bermuda Race on his classic Restive. The Alden 48 Custom broke into the top 10 landing at 9th place in the Finisterre (former Cruiser) Division. They were podium winners in their class taking 3rd place for FIN 2.
Dan Levangie’s Kirawan is a Rhodes 52 who competed alongside Hound and Gentian in the prestigious St. David’s Lighthouse division. If you don’t know her name, you should. Kirawan won the first ever Newport Bermuda Race in 1936 shortly after her launch. She beat 400 miles into a gale to take the inaugural prize, how many ships have followed in her path in the 88 years since. Levangie continues her Bermuda Race legacy with a 5th place in SDL 2 and 25th in SDL Overall.
Cater Bacon’s Solution is a smaller sister ship to Hound. Designed and built for Thor Ramsing with a long successful racing career in New England, SORC, and Bermuda Races from 1964 to 1970, then various other ownsers. Bacon has owned her since 2000 and has done thousands of miles aboard from Rockport, Maine. From Bermuda Races to the Trans-Atlantic Race in 2015 followed by years of cruising Europe.
On the return trip from Bermuda, Solution, unfortunately was abandoned. Carter detailed his account on bermudarace.com and the read is important for any sailors. His seamanship and critical decision-making along with the heroic US Coast Guard results in no loss of life. Despite a loss to the sailing community.
