Word from the Skipper

Jun 21
11:06 EDT / 38.8877N 70.9951W
6.3 kts / SSW / 583.3 nm

The Skipper called this morning to test the Satellite phone. I missed the call but he reported that they seemed to be close to entering the Gulf Stream (the water temp must be rising). He also reported better winds, and therefore, better sailing. A Father's Day Gift from Mother Nature!

Here's hoping their western track will pay off in increased speed.

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Checking out the Freedom Blogs from time to time? Then why not become a follower? It's free and it would help me figure out how many people are actually reading Freedom on the Bay and/or Freedom Fare Afloat. You will be asked to set up a Google account, but that is easy. And, you can opt to follow anonymously.

Your Mom probably told you to be your own person and not just be a Follower, but in this case it's okay!

Thanks!

Saturday Morning Update

Here is Freedom's position about daybreak Saturday morning.

Jun 20
05:07 EDT / 41.1766N 71.1376W
2.8 kts / SSW / 631.6 nm

Looks like the entire fleet is staying west of the rhumb line at this point, and everyone is plagued by light winds. There are much more technical definitions, but essentially, the Rhumb Line it the straight line from Marion to Bermuda. And yes, in this case it leads you directly to the Rum.

Follow the race, and get more information, at www.iboattrack.com and/or www.marionbermuda.com.

If you are stuck inside this weekend, due to rain, you can make your own chart and plot Freedom's progress!

Word From the Crew

This just in from Bryant (6pm-ish Friday):

Wind died
Sailing in the fog. Cary is cooking dinner.looks like no wind until
tomorrow. May be a chance to slither out.

The Crew

Wondering who is on the Freedom Crew? Here are a few photos as the crew readied the boat and themselves for the race. The photo above shows part of the crew riding the launch Friday morning.
Okay, this isn't a Race Crew member -- it's my friend Sally, Conversationalist and Clam Roll Consultant. Thanks for keeping me company and helping me find my cell phone, Sally, as I provisioned the boat!
Here are Andrew (the Navigator) and Chris(the Skipper's Brother)
Andrew striking a classic Navigator's pose.
Bryant, looking relaxed and ready.
Al, aka Doc, "Hey Al" and Bryant and A2's Dad.
The Skipper.

Unfortunately, crew members A2 and Jake did not arrive until after I snapped these photos. They round out a fun and experienced crew.

Go Freedom Go!

And They're Off (again)

Freedom is back on the Race Course today in the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race. Rainy skies yet again for the noontime start. The Skipper checked in about 4:45PM before losing cell phone contact to report a "wild start" as all the boats in their class converged on the committee boat end of the starting line.
Boats from classes A,B, & C were within sight as they sailed past Perikese Island about 3/4 of the way down Buzzards Bay. Fog had set in. Seeadler, another CYCOP boat, was leeward of Freedom.
Follow Freedom as she races towards Bermuda on www.iboattrack.com

The Finish Line (at last)

Despite what you might be seeing on the A2N site, Freedom crossed the finish line about 9:45 AM this morning. Happy and relieved, the crew decided to bypass Newport and head straight to the mooring in Barrington. A few headed directly for the airport, but the remainder headed back to Newport by car for the All Hands on Deck Party, and the chance to blow off some steam -- well deserved, I'd say.

Many thanks to a great crew.

Now, it is time to get some rest and get ready for Marion-Bermuda. Follow along, staring on June 19th, at www.iboattrack.com.