In 1977 the Club became co-sponsors of a cruising race held on a biennial basis between Marion, Massachusetts and Bermuda. The arrangement between the Beverly Yacht Club, the Blue Water Sailing Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club has proved to be a resounding success, with the attraction of a cruising and family race encouraging a large number of enthusiastic participants.

On behalf of the Beverly Yacht Club, Blue Water Sailing Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, please accept my personal invitation to participate in the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. 2011 will mark the 18th running of the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. It has been a wonderful 34 years, starting from a race that began with two old sailing buddies talking about racing from Marion to Bermuda and inviting their friends, to each boat being tracked through satellite navigation for all the world to follow. It has always been a race for cruising boats and remains so today.

What’s new for 2011? We are very pleased to continue have in place a “Race Mentor Program” especially developed for those skippers who have never done the Marion Bermuda Race before. You will be linked to an experienced Marion Bermuda Skipper in your area who has been chosen for their understanding of the race and its requirements. This new program will go a long way in easing the process of preparing you and your boat to go to Bermuda. And if you want to get into a good conversation, or follow and interesting thread about the race, we have also added a social networking web site, racetobermuda.ning For more detailed information on both of these new programs, just go to the Marion Bermuda Race web site at Marion Bermuda Race.

The unique value of our race really lies in our mission to maintain its roots in blue water cruising while staying abreast of the changes in our sport. In 1977 it was a celestially navigated race only because that was the way it was done. The race added electronic navigation in 1997. The average size of a cruising boat in 1977 was 38 feet. In the 2007 race, the average boat was 47 feet with a number of boats over 70 feet. Today’s boats are often equipped with modern technology that makes the handling of sails and rigging simpler and offshore navigation more precise, but the challenge of this ocean passage, the camaraderie of the crew, and the personal reward of a good finish in this competitive event remain unchanged.

Good Sailing!

Graham Quinn
Executive Director
Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association