Harris breaks Bermuda 1-2 record

Griffin Solo Open 50 reaches Bermuda

While Bermuda slept, so Joe Harris celebrated. Harris sailed his Open 50 Gryphon Solo across the finish line off St Georges setting a new solo record for the Bermuda 1-2.  Taking his own time, he finished  at 1:37 EDT. His unofficial elapsed time therefore was 62 hours and 37 minutes from his 11:00 AM EDT start on Saturday June 9th.  The old Bermuda 1-2 solo course record of 66h:57m was set in 2005 by Kip Stone aboard the Open 50 Artforms. The results are unofficial until verified by the race committee.
 
Winds held through the evening to keep Harris on record setting pace. As he approached Bermuda he attempted to radio the race committee on VHF, but apparently they were not awake to catch him breaking the record.  Harris talked with Bermuda Harbour Radio to advise them of his position as he approached and notified them of his finish. He has now anchored in the harbour to sleep and wait for customs to open in the morning.

Harris called his winning time to his shore team at about 2:15AM EDT. "I'm sorry to wake you," he shouted. "I've finished, got my sails down  and I'm motoring through the cut into St. George's.  I tried to rouse the RC, but nobody would anchor. I'm totally stoked about setting this record.  I'll have a solo spot of Jamison to toast my finish and then rack out for some real rest."

In his penultimate report Harris wrote:

"It has been a busy 24 hours. I crashed and bashed through the Gulf Stream with winds from the north east which made for fast and wet sailing. With the 2 to 3 knot boost from the stream the boat was moving over the bottom at between 13 and 21 knots. I am told we have legged out on our competition, with the next boat back Wazimo being now 200 miles back, but that is unconfirmed.  

As we exited the stream the winds became very light and fickle, as is often the case, and we were completely becalmed, with the boat rolling crazily and the sails slapping back and forth for about 45 minutes before the wind filled back in from the NE. When the moon rose in a crescent shape and yellowish color, partially obscured by a cloud, I could not at first identify it, so naturally I below to arm myself and prepare to defend the alien attack.  

When it became clear that is was just the moon, I realised I needed some sleep and crashed in the cockpit for about an hour, completely exhausted. I awoke with a start and got the boat going again and have been puttering along now at 7 to 10 knots, trying to coax the wind into the west so we can fetch Bermuda.  

Talbot Wilson reminded me that the Bermuda 1-2 first leg course record of 66h:57m was set in 2005 by Kip Stone aboard Artforms, with Joe, yours truly, coming a close second.  If the wind fills in from the west, I would have a chance to best the record, but I need to average 8.7 knots and the winds are not yet cooperating.   Keep your fingers crossed for a finish before 6:00 AM Tuesday. Unless you're Kip's mom!"