Dr. Richard Parent set sail aboard his yacht from New Harbor for a five-day race to Bermuda June 18. The race was an event put on every other year by the Cruising Club of America. There were 198 teams of upwards of 14 people. On board Parent’s yacht were 11 people ready for a new adventure.
“The crew worked surprising well together given the amount of time and the shortage of space,” Parent said. “Every one got along real well.”
Parent has been racing since 1986, but this was his first trip in this event. He recalls spending many hours of preparation in order to qualify for the race.
“I’ve been wanting to do this race for a long time,” he says. “The board was real antsy about safety precautions and paperwork, though. The boat had to be inspected to insure everything was good to go. I guess it’s because once you’re out there, there’s no help if something goes wrong.”
One of the more memorable experiences for the crew was racing through the Gulf Stream. Parent said he spent close to four hours on the helm and was exhausted from the monstrous waves.
“There was 20 to 25 knot winds and 15 to 20 foot waves coming at you from all directions,” Parent said. “I had to be peeled away from the helm after that.”
Once arriving in Bermuda, Parent and his team were received with loving embrace from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. They placed 64th out of the 198 teams and were ready to relax in the Bermuda sun.
“The morning after we arrived, we all went down for breakfast,” Parent said. “When we got the bill, they had charged us $10 bucks for a pitcher of water. So that was a sign of things to come as far as prices in Bermuda.”
Overall, Parent said the trip was very successful, adding he was very pleased with the entire experience. He plans on racing again in two years when the race is held again.
“It was a very enjoyable experience,” he said. “We were treated well and everyone in Bermuda was very friendly. I look forward to doing it again in a couple years.”
