Phil Haydon with co-skipper Joe Cooper aboard Cepheus began their 635 nautical mile sail from Bermuda to Newport, RI today, crossing the start line with their class at 11:10am ET. While the solo voyage to Bermuda ended up being 695 nautical miles over 5 days, 16 hours, and 9 minutes, winds this time will be much stronger for the duration of the journey, with arrival expected in approximately 4 days.

Phil is planning to sail straight along the rhumb line (most easily navigated course which avoids hazards, from point A to point B). The final weather briefing included the following forecasted winds and seas, at the approximate positions of the fleet on the noted day.

Thursday, 6/17 – winds southwesterly 20-27 kts. Seas 6-9 feet offshore. Moderate squalls possible. Winds and seas slowly decreasing by evening and becoming light and variable overnight.   

Friday, 6/18 – winds southwest to variable 15-20 kts. Showers possible.  Seas 4-7 feet. Winds shifting to north northwest and decreasing to 12-17 kts. Showers ending with seas subsiding to 3-6 feet.  

Saturday, 6/19 – winds becoming southwest and increasing during the day to 18-25 kts by evening and 20-30 kts overnight. Seas building to 6-9 feet.     

Sunday, 6/20 – winds west to southwest 18-25 kts. Seas 5-8 feet.  

Monday, 6/21 – winds southwest and increasing to 20-30 kts. Seas 6-9 feet.  

Tuesday, 6/22 – winds early southwest 25-30 kts. Seas building to 6-10 feet in moderate to at times heavy squalls. Winds shifting to westerly and decreasing to 18-24 kts in the afternoon with squalls ending. Seas slowly decreasing late to 5-8 feet.