The Marion Bermuda Race, which is scheduled to start this year for June 20, has added a PHRF division. The change means sailors can now participate under the PHRF or ORR Forecast-TCP systems as they make their way from Marion, Massachusetts, to the island of Bermuda.
According to the race organizers, only two Category 1 Ocean Races on the East Coast offer a PHRF class. The Marion Bermuda Race is the older and larger of the two, dating back to 1977 and sometimes including more than 200 boats.
The race has changed over the years, once being navigated celestially. Today, sailors can use electronic or celestial navigation.
To qualify for the Marion Bermuda Race, sailors will need a PHRF-New England Spinnaker rating. Scoring will be done by Time on Time matching the ORR division format. All boats need to pass a pre-race inspection unless they completed the 2023 Marion Bermuda Race or the 2024 Newport Bermuda Race. The Marion Bermuda Race also offers a co-pilot program to match sailors with an experienced past participant.
This year’s race is also offering a 20 percent discount on flights through BermudAir for all skippers, crews, friends and families flying to or from Bermuda. The Coco Reef Resort will also be offering discounts for stays in Bermuda.
Is J/Boats sponsoring a trophy this year? Yes. the J/Boats Performance Trophy will honor the best finish by any J/Boat on corrected time in celestial and electronic classes.
For more information about the race: Go to marionbermuda.com.
