Aussie Shockwave V takes Bermuda Div Line Honours
Although Shockwave 5 was the fourth boat to cross the finish line, she took line honours in the St. David's Lighthouse Division, the largest division in the regatta, representing 123 of the 198 yachts entered in the Newport Bermuda Race. Shockwave 5 arrived in Bermuda's aquamarine waters well before sunset on Monday evening. The Bermuda High may have bewitched and befuddled racers, but it sure was nice to arrive ashore in such beautiful conditions.
'Shockwave (Hamilton Island 2000)'
Andrew Leggett
Originally launched as Neville Crichton's Shockwave in 2000, the Reichel/Pugh 80 was recently purchased by Australian Andrew Short. With the exception of two Americans, Peter Davis and Jan Majer, Short's seventeen member crew is from Australia. Like many of the big boats arriving in Bermuda, Shockwave 5 will have a quick turnaround as she prepares for her return 'Down Under' via the Panama Canal so that she can participate in the Audi Hamilton Island Race Week in late August.
Also finishing before sunset were Bella Mente, Hap Fauth's Reichel Pugh 69; Roger and Farley Towses' Reichel Pugh 66, Blue Yankee; Roger Sturgeon's STP 65, Rosebud/ Team DTY and Moneypenny, a Reichel Pugh 65 owned by Jim Swartz. Not far behind this group is Dan Meyer's Numbers and Norbert Plambeck's all-German crewed Hexe, the former Boomerang, the Frers 80ft maxi that won line and handicap honours for George Coumantaros back in 1996.
by Lynn Fitzpatrick
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husksisson, NSW
