Hello \u00a0British (and Irish) Viperers,<\/p>\n
It’s official, Bermuda 2016 will be the first Viper 640 International Championship <\/b><\/p>\n
Here’s a copy of the PRESS RELEASE<\/a> which is being released today. There are 51 teams who have registered early which already makes this the largest one-design keel boat regatta ever hosted in Bermuda.<\/p>\n We are holding this out as a Championship to determine the best Viper team in the world and have World Sailing\u2019s blessing to do so. The Class Association is providing a spectacular perpetual trophy to commemorate the event which coincides with the Class 20th<\/sup> anniversary.<\/p>\n The regatta will provide both seriously competitive sailing and a fun holiday.<\/b><\/p>\n The sailing will take place on the azure blue waters of Bermuda\u2019s Great Sound a mere 7 months before the opening round of the America\u2019s Cup. Competitors include former Olympians, former America\u2019s Cup sailors and former world champions from other classes from the USA, Canada, Bermuda, UK and Australia, with one distinctive feature\u2026.nobody is paid to sail at a Viper regatta.<\/p>\n We selected Bermuda in November because it is the best time in the year to sail in one of the most spectacular locations on the planet<\/b>:<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The water is still warm. Bermuda is situated slap in the middle of the Gulf Stream.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The winds are at their most reliable with average wind speed of 14 knots alternating between North Easterlies and prevailing trades from the South West. 70% of days are Force 4 Beaufort or more.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The weather is gorgeous. The summer humidity has passed and the air temperature is 24c.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Beautiful pink sand beaches.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Exceptional fly fishing for Bone fish on the flats. A hard core group of Viper sailors are bringing their fly rods.<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Great golf courses<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Home of the Goslings Rum Factory (Factory Tour is included in the entry fee)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bermuda Conch Fritters (an acquired taste, but always washed down with Rum or Sherry)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Opportunity to watch close up America\u2019s Cup Teams in full practice mode<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Policemen who wear British bobby helmets and pink shorts! (Please refrain from \u201cborrowing\u201d the helmets after the Goslings tour!)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A washing machine which will be manufacturing Loud Mouth Soup for competitors throughout the regatta (Don\u2019t ask)<\/p>\n –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Crystal Blue water and a tropical island in the middle of the Atlantic<\/p>\n In short, this is unambiguously designed to be the bucket list regatta of the decade for the Viper Class. The Bermuda Viper Fleet and the Class has raised six figures of sponsorship and we are throwing the best party and best regatta that the Class has ever hosted.<\/p>\n The regatta organizers want to roll out the welcome mat to British and European Viper owners.<\/p>\n Rondar is shipping two or three containers of Viper to Bermuda. <\/b>Please reach out to Paul Young to find out about logistics if you are interested in shipping your Viper to Bermuda.<\/p>\n The Class Association is also here to assist any British sailors contemplating coming to BERMUDA 2016. Please feel free to reach out to our class administrator , Ed \u201cButtons\u201d Padin and\/or Regatta Co- Chairman Doug De Couto with any questions you might have about Bermuda.<\/p>\n