Marion, Massachusetts — February 8, 2015: Racers entering in the 20th Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race that starts June 19, 2015 will earn priority status at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) to experience the 2017 America’s Cup being sailed during the month of June. Participating in the 2015 race will act as a warm-up-trip to Bermuda that will enable participants to make a crossing to Bermuda and become familiar with all that the islands have to offer for their next race. That race in 2017 will be a special “race in company” to watch AC35 in Bermuda from the comfort of their own boat.
“Racing the 2015 race,” said Ray Cullum, a past Commodore of the Beverly YC in Marion and Marketing Director for 2015, “leads to special opportunities for those interested in this year’s race and in the next race, too. Skippers racing this year will be given preferential dockage and mooring space at RHADC in 2017. Skippers and crew in the 2015 race will have the current rates guaranteed plus first refusal on dockage and mooring space for the 2017 race. They may also receive special discounts following this year’s race surrounding their stay for the America’s Cup.”
Apply for an invitation and register for the 2015 Marion Bermuda Race and enjoy the benefits during the America’s Cup in 2017. To date there are 35 yachts entered or in the process of entering. www.marionbermuda.com
Marion Bermuda Mentor Program
Experienced Marion Bermuda sailors are on stand-by to help you prepare for your first race. Our mentors are available by phone, email and, when mutually convenient, informal in-person meetings.
If you are new to ocean racing and require more extensive consultation please let us know and we’d be happy to refer you to people who specialize in offshore passage-making preparation consulting.
“Our Mentor program is informal,” said David Risch, participation chairman. “Each new entrant brings particular areas of experience and expertise and also diverse needs. Our overall mission is to welcome sailors who have always wanted to experience an adventure like the Marion to Bermuda Race. We know you have time constraints and we hope to provide you ready answers from trusted sources so that your goal of race participation can become a reality for you.”
Many skippers say preparation is by far the most challenging component of the race (paling in comparison to the actual passage itself). The Marion Bermuda Race mentor program will help you make the most efficient use of your preparation time by consulting with people who have been there and done that before.
Please let organizers know of your interest in the Race as soon as possible – and if you would like to be paired with a Mentor, we will connect you. Send an e-mail to mentoring@marionbermuda.com and we will match you up with your own Mentor.
Bermuda Tourism Names Marion Bermuda Race “Signature Event”— Cruising Tour planned
The Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) has elevated the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race from the Tourism Experience level to “Signature Event” status under a new funding program for 2015.
The additional marketing for 2015 will be used to enhance the Bermuda experience for Marion Bermuda Race participants and their friends, families and the return crews who come to Bermuda and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club for the race itself and for more days (and nights) of Bermuda fun.
Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club Commodore Ed Faries hopes to see a large turnout. “We expect that with all the attention Bermuda is getting as host to the next America’s Cup we will have a good size fleet this year. With the support from the BTA, we are planning some new experiences which will extend the Bermuda experience for our sailors to include tours of the AC venue and may also include a post-race ‘Explore Bermuda’ cruise to experience future yachting amenities planned or now under development.”
“Signature Experiences have proven track records for driving visitors to Bermuda and stimulating economic activity or they have the potential to advance the BTA's core objectives in a significant way,” said Pat Phillip-Fairn, Chief Product and Experiences Officer for the BTA. “The Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race easily qualifies under those criteria.”
– Talbot Wilson
