Mid-May introduced a sixth ‘Bermuda’ boat, the 48ft Nautor Swan, Patriot, owned by US-domiciled Bermudians, Richard Isted and his son Evan.
Patriot’s 2012 entry celebrates both the yacht’s 40th birthday and the 40th anniversary of her first Bermuda Race, a storied history.
According to Richard Isted, she was built in 1972 (hull number two) and skippered by first owner, Warren Brown in that year’s ‘roughest Bermuda Race ever’. She did well until her mainsail tore.
Patriot has had at least one other owner, a sailor in Virginia, who sold her in the fall of 2010. Mr Isted said: “We purchased Patriot… for the sheer grace and strength of her construction and the world renowned design of Sparkman & Stephens.”
The blue-hulled, cream-decked Patriot sails under USA 14571 from her homeport at Westerly, RI.
Skipper Richard will have the help of Bermudian crew, Andrew Rossiter and Navigator Ralph Richardson.
Son Evan couldn’t do the race, but looks forward to double-handing the boat at another time.
Mr Isted said: “We hope to accomplish a great showing and bring Patriot home successfully again for her fortieth.