Newport Bermuda Race 2020 cancelled

The Bermuda Race Organizing Committee (BROC) has cancelled the 2020 Newport Bermuda Race due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The biennial race, founded in 1906, had 200 entries and was due to start for the 52nd time on June 19.

“As representatives of the race’s co-sponsoring clubs—the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club—the BROC believes in promoting the practice of safety as a way of life offshore,” Jay Gowell, BROC Chairman, wrote in a letter to competitors today.

“Our Committee has always held the position that we can only conduct the Bermuda Race if conditions for competitors and local populations made it safe to do so. After continuing to seek guidance from numerous government and medical advisors, it has become evident there is no longer a timeline allowing our sailors and supporters to prepare for and participate in this offshore race safely.”

The driving factor in the decision was reducing the risk of exposure to competitors and the community. Preparing boats for an offshore race takes time, commitment, and logistics that may expose communities and families unnecessarily. Sailing offshore may result in contact with asymptomatic infected shipmates during the race and could adversely affect the Bermudian population at the conclusion of the race.

“This decision is extremely disappointing to our sailors as well as organizers,” Gowell said. “As an international race organizing authority, it is our responsibility to be a part of the solution to reduce the risk of exposure.”

Read the full text of the Competitor Bulletin here.

The next edition of the Newport Bermuda Race is scheduled to begin on June 17th, 2022.

by Newport Bermuda Race Media

YachtBoatNews

Share
Published by
YachtBoatNews

Recent Posts

47th Régates Royales de Cannes

Generally, the last week of September in Cannes is favourable to sailing, and previous editions…

4 days ago

Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez

The gentle majesty of sail was omnipresent in the port of St Tropez this Sunday,…

4 days ago

Multihull Cup 2025

Allegra achieved her ambition at the Multihull Cup 2025 today, taking the title by a…

4 days ago

Transat Café L’or 2025

On Sunday, October 26, at 2pm local time the 72 boats registered for the 17th…

2 weeks ago

52 Super Series

Teams on the 52 SUPER SERIES, the world's leading grand prix monohull racing circuit, head…

2 weeks ago

Womens America’s Cup

In the long, 174-year history of the America’s Cup, women have certainly played a part…

2 weeks ago