Hamilton, Bermuda — The centennial Bermuda Race finished with a regal flourish Saturday with the visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who presented the winning trophies in the grounds of Government House during a sunset prize giving ceremony that was marked by both solemn tradition and good humor.

“The wonderful enjoyment of sailing the Bermuda Race has brought people together for over a century,” said the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, who was greeted with a roar of applause when she added, “I went from sailing as a young girl to riding horses but at the end of my career I am now firmly back to sailing. I have to confess though, that I never felt seasick on a horse.”

85 crews received Newport Bermuda Race awards, and the Princess Royal presented the major trophies to each division winner. Richard Shulman from Barrington RI and his crew on the IMX 45 Temptress, won first place in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse ORR Division and Timothy McAdams from Brewster MA, owner of the First 44.7 Four Stars had an identical trophy for his first place finish in the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse IRC Division.

In the St. David’s Lighthouse IRC Division, William Hubbard, from New York, owner of the veteran Carter 37 Lively Lady II, brought his 12-year old daughter Alyssa on stage to accept the St David’s Lighthouse Trophy from the Princess Royal and Peter Rebovich, from Metuchen NJ, owner of the Cal 40 Sinn Fein won the St David’s Lighthouse ORR Division. Rebovich picked up an additional six prizes, including the William C. Finley Trophy for the best-corrected time in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division for a yacht older than 15 years. In fact, Rebovich was back and forth to the winner’s podium so often that Lady Vereker, wife of the Governor of Bermuda, asked jokingly if he would like to take her seat in front of the stage.

In the Cruiser Division, the Princess Royal presented the new Carleton Mitchell Finisterre Trophy for the best corrected time to a beaming Eleonara de Haas from St. Maarten. Her all-women’s team on the Frers 49 Synergy, racing to raise awareness of their fledgling WAVES organization - Women Against Violence Everywhere - are the first to win a major award in this event.

The Royal Mail Trophy was presented to Joe Harris of Hamilton MA and his Open 50 Gryphon Solo for the best-corrected time in the Demonstration Division. The Princess Royal also presented the Philip S. Weld Prize to Richard du Moulin of Larchmont NY and Chris Reyling aboard the Express 37 Lora Ann racing in the Double Handed IRC Division. Raymond Renaud and crewmate Kristen Wenzel on the C&C 35 You are receiving this email because you signed up for the Newport Bermuda Newswire at www.bermudarace.com.

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