Today would have been the start to the 51st Newport Bermuda Race, and the race organizers invited past participants to share favorite memories from the past 50 editions. For Gunboat the 2018 edition stands alone, when three Gunboats stepped up as the first-ever multihulls to take place in this iconic offshore challenge!

2018 marked the first year multihull entries were invited to the Newport Bermuda Race – and the class was entirely made up of Gunboats! ARETHUSA, TRIBE, and ELVIS put their names on this piece of yachting history. And while conditions tested the patience of the keenest light-air sailors, they were rewarded with the pristine tropical oasis that is Bermuda.

Video: Take a look behind the scenes at boat prep, interviews, a private Gunboat event, and helicopter footage of the start, with special guests Vincent Lauriot Prévost & Loick Peyron. Footage by Billy Black, video editing by Roddy Grimes-Graeme / Acquafilms. Video co-sponsor and Gunboat 68 partner, Fibre Mechanics.

The 51st start takes place today as a virtual race, and it looks like about 300 entries will battle it out on the screens and help carry the torch of competition and camaraderie until we meet on the water again.

Read our original post about the 2018 Bermuda Race for a detailed account of the race and other media coverage.