Mustang Survival Annapolis to Bermuda Ocean Race 1022
Twenty-six competing boats turned out for the 2022 Mustang Survival Annapolis Bermuda Ocean Race (A2B) June 4, 2022. Tropical Storm Alex forced a 24-hour delay for the 735-nautical-mile race, but Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) pulled off the start concurrently with the Maryland Leukemia Cup (which is now the Maryland Cures Cancer Regatta).
“We watched anxiously as Alex moved up the Gulf Stream and decided to postpone the race to allow for better conditions in the Gulf Stream,” says race chair Corinne Smith. “However, the delay created some last-minute Covid re-testing, and while the conditions in the ocean leg were better than expected, conditions were not ‘a beautiful broad reach to Bermuda.’ We got a lot of ‘conditions not as advertised’ comments from boats when they reached Bermuda. Some of the crew from retired boats flew to Bermuda for the festivities, and it was a great party!”
Herrington Harbour Sailing Association (HHSA) member Lynn McClaskey, who topped PHRF 2 on her J/110 Cimarron, said, “Part of what made this race different from other Bermuda races (this was my fourth) was the mental part: mostly Covid testing and TS Alex. And it was upwind. The brochure said it would be an off-the-wind race. Normally the challenge is getting out of the Bay in good shape. This year, the Bay had some of the best sailing.”
McClaskey’s team included Tristan Keen, Russ Matijevich, Katie Wolfe, Sean Rogers, and Sheila Keen
As for how her crew and boat held up, the skipper says, “The boat held up well for an aging beauty! She's 32. The handrail in the cabin came down—critical as it holds up the lee cloth on that side. There was a major macrame project to ensure that crew got the rest they needed. My crew has a creative approach to problem solving! There was some queasiness, but the crew held up well.”
Find more photos by Al Schreitmueller here.