FEATURED ARTICLE ROBERTPAUL.com 2025 - 2026 113 2026 - 2027 Centered around the historic Beverly Yacht Club—one of the oldest yacht clubs in America—Marion’s waterfront comes alive in race years. Spectators gather along the harbor with anticipation as crews finalize preparations. More Than a Sporting Event What makes the Marion-Bermuda Race particularly special is its multi-generational, family-oriented atmosphere. Unlike some professional circuits, this race often includes spouses, children, and lifelong friends aboard participating yachts. Stories of fathers and daughters, siblings, or longtime sailing partners crossing the Atlantic together are common, reinforcing the race’s reputation as a deeply personal adventure. This human element has allowed the race to foster not only fierce competition but also enduring bonds between sailors and communities. The 50th anniversary is expected to amplify this spirit, featuring commemorative events, reunions, expanded celebrations, and a spotlight on the race’s rich history. Past participants and newcomers alike will gather to honor five decades of offshore stories, from challenging crossings to unforgettable landfalls. Bermuda: The Reward at Journey’s End After days at sea, Bermuda offers an arrival unlike any other. The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club has long welcomed competitors with island hospitality, vibrant celebrations, and a sense of accomplishment that only an ocean crossing can deliver. Bermuda’s pink sand beaches, pastel architecture, and world-class sailing culture make it an ideal finale. This pairing of Marion’s understated New England elegance with Bermuda’s island sophistication is part of what makes the race so iconic. A Timeless Coastal Legacy Fifty years after its founding, the MarionBermuda Race stands not only as one of offshore sailing’s great traditions but also as a celebration of the coastal communities that sustain it. For those who love sailing, New England, or simply the elegance of maritime culture, Marion’s upcoming anniversary offers something rare: a chance to witness living history. From the first hoist of sail in Buzzards Bay to the triumphant arrival in Bermuda, the MarionBermuda Race remains a journey defined by courage, connection, and coastal beauty—a legacy that continues to inspire, 50 years on. The Marion Bermuda Race is a 645-nautical-mile (1,195 km) biennial ocean sailing race from Marion, Massachusetts, to Bermuda, established in 1977 to promote “Corinthian” (amateur) cruising yacht competition.
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