Thursday, November 17, 2016
Day 2 at the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship Regatta, Hamilton, Bermuda
“Boat breaking conditions”, is what competitor Nick Lounsbury titled today. At noon the wind was 32 gusting to 43 which put sailors on standby until 1220 at which a final decision was made to cancel for the day. What is it like sailing Vipers in these conditions? “We go into safety mode,” said 2015 North American Champion Luke Lawrence. “On a day like this, even Brad (Boston) and I would have flipped.” The team of Sidewinder wasn’t going to accept a day off, there was plenty of breeze funneling right into Hamilton Harbour that made for a run for the speed record. Topping off at 16.4, Travis Yates, Mike Meighan, Dave Hillmyer, and guest Lara Dallman-Weiss were awarded with both the daily speed record (accompanied by a bottle of Australian wine) and the entertainment of the day.
For other racers, a bit of tourism was on the schedule: a visit to Crystal Cave is a must! An underground cave system was discovered by two boys in the early 1900’s when they lost their cricket ball and heard it fall. What made this trip extra spectacular was the timing of the super moon. The tide was higher than it has been in 60 years and in a space where visitors can normally stand straight, the floating dock was up so everyone had to crawl. Also, since the tide was so high, the sea level outside was higher than the cave. This meant instead the usual constant drip from crystals, sailors got to experience still, undisturbed water showing 35’ formations beneath the surface (some greater than one million years old).
Tonight sailors will enjoy a reception, class dinner, and the AGM at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Better news for tomorrows sailing, the forecast looks to be a beautiful with wind in the mid-teens and sunny skies!
Being run in conjunction with the Viper 640 North American Championship and hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club, 41 Viper 640 sportboats from around the world have traveled to Bermuda for the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship.
Follow all racing in real time and see regatta photos at https://www.facebook.com/2016Viper640InternationalChampionship/?fref=ts with daily recaps at www.viper640.corg.
Contact: Edward Padin, Viper 640 Class Administrator, epadin@padesta.com
About Aspen Reinsurance
Aspen Re is a diversified, well-capitalized and strongly rated company that provides carefully tailored underwriting solutions in select markets where we can add a high level of value. Aspen Re’s progress is built on the ability to identify and respond swiftly to emerging opportunities and to operate across a wide range of countries and specialist business lines. Aspen Re is founded on a thorough understanding of client needs, as well as exceptional expertise in assessing and managing risk. The company focuses on building long-term relationships with clients who have track records for sound underwriting, along with exposures that make risk transfer a vital aspect of their business needs.
Aspen Insurance, 141 Front Street, Hamilton HM19, Bermuda
About EFG International
EFG International is a global private banking group offering private banking and asset management services, headquartered in Zurich. EFG International’s group of private banking businesses operates in around 30 locations worldwide, with circa 2,000 employees. EFG International’s registered shares (EFGN) are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.
EFG International has been the primary supporting sponsor of the Viper 640 Class since 2011. Every year, Viper sailors around the world competing in quailifying events leading up to the EFG Viper Pan-American Championship sailed each March in Miami, FL, as part of Bacardi Miami Sailing Week presented by EFG.
EFG International AG, Bleicherweg 8, 8001 Zurich, Switzerland
www.efginternational.com
About the Viper 640
The Viper 640 is a high-performance one-design sport boat. At 21 ft (6.40 m) and only 750 lb. (340 kg) it combines the stiffness of a keelboat with the acceleration and planing abilities of a dinghy. The Viper has a precise and exhilarating feel on the helm, a spacious cockpit for three or more people, strict one-design class rules, and ease of launching by ramp or hoist. With fleets and regattas around the world, there is certainly Viper racing near you.
For more information contact Viper 640 Class Association Administrator Ed “Buttons” Padin (epadin@padesta.com) or Rondar Raceboats’ Dan Tucker (Dan@rondarboats.com). For more information about the Aspen Viper 640 International Championship presented by EFG contact event chair Doug De Couto (decouto@alum.mit.edu) or Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Somers Kempe (somers@mahoganyreef.com).
www.viper640.org
