C2B away AOK

Meaghan van Liew reports on the start of this year's Charleston-Bermuda race

Five minutes before the Charleston to Bermuda Race (C2B) began a warning shot was fired from the cannon aboard the Afloat Lab, a vessel operated by the Office of Naval Research and acting today as committee boat for the C2B. Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Jane Correia was the woman behind the intense blow. Congressman Henry Brown from South Carolina was next with the four minute warning shot. One minute out, Bermuda’s Acting Minister of Tourism, The Honorable Walter M. Lister JP MP performed the honors. And finally, Charleston’s Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr. fired the final shot at 12:00 noon today, marking the start of the 777 nautical mile race from Charleston, South Carolina to the St. David’s Lighthouse in Bermuda. A very light breeze scooting under the new and nearly complete Cooper River Bridge made for downwind conditions. An incoming tide hindered progress, making it seem as if the boats were standing still at times. Midnight Rider, a Santa Cruz 70 with R.E. 'Teddy' Turner at the helm, double Around Alone skipper Brad van Liew navigating and owners Hank Hofford and Susan Ford on hand in the cockpit, made a close pass of the docks and committee boat, with hundreds of people cheering them on. With 15 crew on board, Midnight Rider boasts the largest crew and the lowest rating at -69. Minutes later the race boats all headed for the line on a port tack. It was Crescendo, a Swan 44 MKII sailed by Australian James Wilmot that crossed the line first. Midnight Rider was quick to follow and quick to take the lead. Twilight was third over the line.

As the race boats reached the Charleston Battery, two Bermuda 40s, Alice Kay and J-Henry were neck and neck. The slight breeze dwindled to nothing, leaving the rear of the fleet bobbing around for a while with a nice view of downtown Charleston. Clouds thankfully appeared providing some appreciated breeze for the sailors. Minutes later the clouds showered the boats for the first of what will be many wet moments at sea this week.

16 boats were entered in the C2B, until one sank on the way to the start. Bob Cummings was transporting At Ease, his Bavaria 41 from Newport, Virginia to the start in Charleston when he and crew Jerry McCarthy encountered massive seas and 50+ knots of wind. The story is a wild one, but they eventually had to be airlifted off the sinking boat near Cape Hatteras by the US Coast Guard, and sadly… are not competing in the race this year.

Meanwhile among the fleet are 20 amateurs heading to Bermuda for their first ever 'big' sailing adventure. Ocean Sailing Academy has three boats entered in the race, each with student crews and two professional captains. From their 20s to 60s, these new sailors have traveled from Bermuda, Canada, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and elsewhere to race. There should be some fun stories coming off these boats!

Richard Hartley, sailing his Hinkley B40 Mark III, Alice Kay, marks the first time a Bermudian has trekked over to Charleston with his boat, in order to race back.

The Charleston Bermuda Race was founded ten years ago. The event challenges sailors to navigate the 777 nautical miles between Charleston and Bermuda at a time of year known for tricky, unpredictable weather. Simply known as the C2B, the race has also acquired a reputation of focusing on fun. Sponsors of this year’s event include Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, Bennett-Hofford Construction Company, KLAR, Wyndham Bermuda Resort & Spa, Bermuda Tourism, Bauer International, and many others.

The owner and organizing authority for the race is the South Carolina Maritime Heritage Foundation (SCMHF). SCMHF is a nonprofit 501c3 organization with a mission to offer a unique educational platform for students, encouraging responsibility, teamwork, and other attributes necessary to become future leaders, while unearthing South Carolina’s maritime past. Other programs include construction of a tall ship, the Spirit of South Carolina, and the Charleston Maritime Festiva.l