Breaking course records in the thrash to the Onion Patch has become a hobby for George David's 90-foot Reichel/Pugh sloop Rambler. Rambler has broken its seventh course record after crossing the St David's Lighthouse finish line first ahead of more than 170 other boats participating in the 48th Bermuda Race. The unofficial time of 39 hours, 39 minutes, 18 seconds recorded by Rambler shattered the previous course record set in 2004 by Morning Glory by nine hours. Rambler had an average speed of 16.06 knots while racing on the 635-mile course from Newport, RI to St. Davids Head, Bermuda.
Started in 1906, the Bermuda race claims to be the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race. The intensity of the race is magnified by the fact that it is sailed almost entirely out of sight of land. This year, participants reported high-speed and extremely rough conditions throughout the duration of the race. Eight-foot swells challenged many of the boats as they made their push to Bermuda. As it stands, the top six finishers are Rambler (Class 10), Bella Mente (Class 10), Shockwave (Class 10), Team Tiburon (Class 10), Med Spirit (Class 16), and Kodiak (Class 8).
Final race results will be posted on Saturday, June 23, 2012. For more information, visit the Bermuda race website.
