The 2025 Marion Bermuda was a challenge, from the rollicking start right down to the slow and suspenseful finish. Off the bat, competitors contended with sustained winds of up to 30 knots—with gusts of up to 38 reported—while making their way down Buzzard’s Bay, and the corresponding seastate was out in force.
Also out in force were SAIL editors, with Editor in Chief Wendy Mitman Clarke aboard the J42 Dianthus and Technical Editor Adam Cove on Meridian, a Tartan 4600. Adam’s team made good use of the gusty chaos at the start to lead the Class B fleet off the line, even as Dianthus struggled in the conditions, already a good distance behind most of Class A when crossing.
But the thing about a long race is there’s plenty of time to shake things up.
“The first 20 hours were extremely challenging,” recalls Wendy. “Sail changes were like a rodeo up on the bow, and we are a crew of four people over 60, so it was physically intensely demanding.”
It didn’t take long for things to settle down, and by the following afternoon, the breeze had cooled down to around 10 knots and wouldn’t be back up for the rest of the race. The lighter air made for a different set of challenges, however, as the fleet struggled to stay in the shifty breeze.
“Confused forecasts kept us on our toes, but we enjoyed the easiest Gulf Stream crossing I’ve ever had and the most beautiful offshore conditions for days on end,” says Adam.
Wendy agreed: “Every night the Milky Way arched horizon to horizon. We saw dolphins, whales, flying fish, shearwaters, and about a day out of Bermuda the tropicbirds came to visit.”
Dianthus slowly began overtaking competitors, creeping up the scoreboard as the race stretched on. “With input ahead of time from Chris Parker of Marine Weather Center, we developed a strategy to stay primarily west of the rhumb line,” Wendy says. “Ultimately we stayed west the whole way, counting on what we expected would be a southwesterly breeze to develop. At times worried we were too far west.”
But the old “west is best” navigation adage proved true once again on this course, and their strategy continued to pay off as they reeled in the miles. Aboard Meridian it was a different story.
“This race is always a learning experience, especially after watching a 70nm lead dissolve and finding ourselves fighting back after multiple fleet compressions and restarts,” recalls Adam.
The compressions were tough mentally and physically on the entire fleet. With boats in constant close competition, no one could ease off for even a second. “Strategically and weather-wise, this race seemed to start over and over, like it was a dozen races in one,” Wendy says.
Ultimately, Oakcliff’s Ker 50 Redwood clinched line honors after four days, 18 hours, 33 minutes, and 42 seconds. However, on corrected time in Class A, they slipped down into second place.
The winner? A come from behind victory from none other than Dianthus.
“I am so excited we did as well as we did. And I feel like we earned every bit of it,” Wendy said at the end of nearly five days at sea. Dianthus is owned by Chesapeake sailors Dave Tabor and Carol Vaughn, and it’s a new boat to them. Wendy’s husband John Clarke rounded out the crew of four. “This was only its third race and our third race together as a team. After Annapolis to Newport, which was a pretty terrible race for us, this was a sweet result.”
Class B was won by R. Davis Webb’s Bristol 38.3 Ardent, followed by J42 Jade and Sabre 45 Rossaveal, while Class C awarded first and second to Ronald Wisner’s Columbia 50 Hotspur II and Navy 44 Integrity respectively. (per the NOR, third place is not awarded in a class with fewer than eight entries).
And though the hardware will be nice, the real joy of this race is in the experience of being out on the ocean, seeing a part of the world that so few people ever get to.
“The infinitely starry nights, meandering wildlife, and gorgeous sunrises align an intense adventure with a spiritual experience, and keep us all coming back,” Adam recalls fondly. Though they finished seventh in Class B, he says the race was a great learning experience and a joy to compete in. “There’s no better tune up than keeping a boat going fast for five days straight.”
“In 2027 this race celebrates its 50th anniversary, and I’d encourage any sailors, cruisers and racers, to consider competing,” Wendy says. “With Corinthian sailing at its historic and philosophical core, it’s a race that emphasizes camaraderie and community, and hanging out on the docks before and after you are making new friends left and right. It’s also challenging in every way, as any 645-mile race including passage across the Gulf Stream can be. It’s a great race for first-timers and veterans. I’m so happy I was able to do it this year.”
For the full results, click here.
