Organized by the Bermuda Race Foundation, the 635-mile biennial Newport Bermuda Race is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race, and one of very few international distance races. The Bermuda Race is one of just two of the world’s regularly scheduled races held almost entirely out of sight of land, the second being the Transpac. Founded in 1906, the 53rd running of the Bermuda Race is scheduled for June 21, 2024.

Phil will be racing with co-skipper Alex Kraebel, who has been training with him since last summer. Alex has also worked with Phil this winter to make some upgrades to Fearless, with a focus on a new mast tracks and sliders. Once again we’ll be broadcasting the start live on Facebook! We’ll finalize the start time closer to race day.

When we sign off you’ll be able to follow Phil and Alex using our boat tracker and watch social media for photos, videos, and links to blogs sent in while offshore.

Only two sailors will be present on Fearless, but Phil and Alex will bring along over 550 Virtual Shipmates hailing from 20+ countries, who have all taken the One More Step Challenge. If you’d like to participate and have your name added to the hull of Fearless, sign up before April 1, 2024.

History of the Race

The purpose of the Bermuda race was stated in 1923 by Cruising Club of America Commodore Herbert L. Stone: “In order to encourage the designing, building, and sailing of small seaworthy yachts, to make popular cruising upon deep water, and to develop in the amateur sailor a love of true seamanship, and to give opportunity to become proficient in the art of navigation. . . .”   

A total of 220 boats entered the race in 2022. The largest fleet, 265 boats, sailed in the centennial race in 2006. The third largest, 197 boats turned out in 2008. The race attracts sailors from across North America and the globe. In 2016 sailors represented 23 different countries. 55 of the boats had at least one sailor from outside of the United States.