Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Bermuda Jr. Gold Cup 1

From Auckland to LA on NZ2 12 hours then 7 hours waiting in the US Airways lounge for their 5hr flight to Philadelphia, arriving 6am local time then 4 hours waiting for the 2 hr connection to Bermuda sooo that's 30hrs travelling! It was good to get here in the end. Bit reminiscent for me as I have been here 3 times before in 88, 92 and 93 for the Bermuda Gold Cup when I was with Nippon Challenge.

All this years competitors are new for me except my old friends Yaji san and Peter Gilmour. I have known Yaji san since he was 19 with no sailing experience joining The Nippon Challenge. He now tells me he is 45!!! How time flies!

The last 10 years odd, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club have been running the Jr. Gold Cup in Conjunction with the main event. They invite the top sailor from countries around the world to come and race against the top Bermuda skippers. info here:

By today most of the jr skippers had arrived and were getting their boats sorted. Some got out for some practice in the morning when there was a light breeze while the big boys started the elimination round robins for the main event. Unfortunately the breeze died and only one set of races could be held. 

Some pictures from today:

 Cruise ships regularly come and go through the narrow Hamilton harbour stopping the racing.

 Local Insurance company Argo is the title sponsor of this major World Match Race Tour event.

 The sailing is done from the marina pontoons. No trolleys here.

 The big boys boats are 8 IOD (International One Design) yachts made of fiberglass. For information on these boats go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_One_Design  They are great boats for match racing and have been used for ages! They are the same as what I sailed back in 88!

 The Opti racks in front of the RBYC

 The opti launching pad with some boys burning off excess energy with a swim off the marina. Can't keep them out even though coach Tom (who is from Wales and knows our Pwllheli coaches by the way!) told them that there are barracuda in the harbour!

A group of International skippers chill while waiting for some wind.