Part 7: Newport Bermuda Race 2018 The Finish!

As we watched Verissmo, and her owner Chris Cannon, leave the dock in Jamestown, the weather had cleared but the wind was very light.  Most of the crew had been aboard in 2016 when they took line honors in their class and second on corrected time.  So this year's expectations were high to match or improve upon their previous performance

The 2018 NBR would not be as kind to Verissmo and crew finishing 4th in their class! This year's race gave an advantage to the smaller boats that perform better in light air.

Heading for the Start!

Chris Muesler, a journalist covering the race, summed it up best: "They call it the rubber band. ... in 2018 the faster boats would stretch out to a lead, then park in a no-wind zone. Smaller boats would ride the old wind right up behind, and the race would practically re-start when the new breeze came in".  In the end those smaller, lighter boats were ones taking home the hardware.

However, this is not to say this was a lackluster event.  Two-thirds of the way through the race they finally got some meaningful wind. Navigator Robert Ranzenbach commented: "As the slower boats sailed up to the generally faster boats, at that point we knew we had to push Verissimo really hard".

Early in the Race, calm seas at night

Chris added this last third of the race was what he would remember for a long time. "We tacked over to starboard on the rhumb line and traveled over 200 miles at 55 degrees AWA direct to the finish line averaging 9-10 knots, Verissimo’s sweet spot.

Finally moving!

This was what most of the crew was expecting to experience during this type of race.  As Chris put it so well, "it was similar to surfing a wave that never ended or being up on edge on skis for hours and hours".

At this point, they might be able to catch the third place boat ahead of them.  The crew responded to the challenge, working hard and tirelessly to maintain a steady course, picking up minutes where they could.

Finally finishing up at 3:00 AM, everyone was on deck with the traditional Dark N' Stormys and high fives all around.  The crew was pleased with how Verissimo performed, particularly in the light air conditions that were troublesome to all but the smaller boats.  It was a great race! Back at the dock, there was the usual conversation about the "what ifs", but there will be memories for a lifetime.

The demographically diverse crew of fourteen worked extremely well together. The mood was always light with some ribbing and trash-talking particularly between generations. The ages for the crew ranged from 25 years ( the "millennials") to 72 years (the "AARPs").  It is interesting to watch a millennial come off watch, go through a pre-sleep ritual of washing, brushing of teeth, etc., versus an AARP who collapses in a berth and is snoring in minutes!

Friends and relatives surpassed all expectations in provisioning the boat with food.  There was not a can of Dinty Moore Stew to be found!  The crew had to make do with Shepard's Pie, Chicken Marsala, Beouf Bourgoin, and homemade Blueberry Buckle.  One Millennial commented he had not eaten this well since the 2016 race!

What will be one of Chris' fondest memories is the opportunity of sailing with his daughter, Caroline, for her second NBR. There is no better Father /Daughter bonding than being together on an ocean race.

Caroline, Chris' daughter at the Helm

Since the race covered Father's day it was only right there would also be a Father/Son duo in the crew.  Bernard and Win Wharton participated in their fourth ocean race.  Happy Father's Day!

Captain Matt Reinhardt had worked diligently over the past eighteen months getting the boat in superb shape. The attention to detail preparation for this race was manifest in the smoothness of how she sailed.

Navigator, Robert Ranzenbach, and Tactician, Dave Flynn, valiantly tried to find a course with more wind and encouraged the crew to save minutes wherever possible. Other members of the crew who made this race memorable included Mike Keyworth, Ben Hall, Bob Webbon, Rick Doherty,  Brandon Somers, Becky Esterle , and Devlin Keogh.

At the very beginning when we started following Verissimo for this Race, Chris stated he had two objectives to accomplish in the Newport Bermuda Race be safe and have fun!  The crew of Verissimo certainly achieved the objectives set out by her owner.  They worked hard for nearly two years getting ready to compete in this unique ocean race that does not offer a multi-million dollar purse.  Both Captain Matt and crew dedicate long hours and owner Chris spends his money (Chris jokingly refers to himself as the "Check-tican" since his job is writing checks) to participate in one of the most spectacular ocean racing events.

Thanks to Chris and crew for allowing Landfall to follow along on their great adventure!

This entry was posted on February 28, 2020 by James Frayer.