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There is very little doubt that this race has been of the most highly anticipated yachting events in the world. Captains and crew members range from the unknown to the famous, such as Gary Jobson, who is racing aboard the Kodiak II. Jobson and several others have been keeping weblogs of the race as they progress towards Bermuda. As of this writing, most of the vessels were due at the finish line by the end of the day on Tuesday, June 20.

"This is one of the classic events and it has been on our list to do," said British solo sailor Dee Caffari, 33, of Pindar Alpha Graphics. Caffari just completed a record solo circumnavigation. "We have a lot of knowledge on board our boat but we also have sailors who are developing in the sport. This race offers them that first hand knowledge and it is also a great test for me."

One remarkable thing about this race, so far, has been the lack of wind. Jobson wrote in his blog, on June 20, "Here we are, the entire Bermuda Race fleet, on Tuesday still working every puff of wind for maximum gain. Sailboats are great fun, as long as there is some wind. Over the past two days there has been very little. Sailing for all of us resembles the plight of a race car driver trying to compete without fuel. At this writing Bermuda is 62 miles over the horizon. The atmosphere on the boat is pretty good considering the lack of wind."

Other racers dealt with the lack of wind in different ways. Joe Harris, aboard the Gryphon Solo, wrote on Tuesday, June 20, "The pace of Gryphon Solo has slowed continuously until about 30 minutes ago we saw the dreaded 0.00 knots per hour on our speedometer. Becalmed. Completely stopped. Glassy sea. Uuuuuuuugh. We are 84 miles out from Bermuda but, with zero boat speed, the estimated time of arrival is infinite. My wife Kim and two sons Griffin (8) and Emmett (2.75) are in Bermuda wondering whats happened to daddy. Daddy is wondering what's happened to daddy, as I'm sure are many other husbands and fathers on the 270 boats wallowing around out here. This was not in the race brochure.

"As sailors and loyal Gryphon Solo followers know, calm happens. In the 2004 Transat Race (solo from Plymouth, UK to Boston in 16 days) I was becalmed 3 times for periods up to 8 hours. In the 2005 Transat Jacques Vabre race (double-handed from France to Brazil in 19 days) we were becalmed by the Cape Verde Islands and then again in the doldrums. When the wind machine shuts off, you have to go into a different mode, which revolves around just keeping the boat pointed in the right direction and moving. It is very basic sailing - where is the wind coming from, how can I make the boat go. Puffs come and go, giving rise to optimistic hopes of a sustained breeze, hoping that this next zephyr will turn into the new wind."

Among other race commentary from participants were complaints about the freeze dried food and the way the cabin smelled as a result of the crew consuming it, optimistic takes on the weather, excitement about reaching the Gulf Stream, and observations about the dolphins and wildlife along the way. To read the day-to-day accounts of the race, race standings and results, and other news items, please visit the official web site, an incredible tool. You can track individual boats, receiving constantly updated information on where the boat is located, the boat's current speed, the wind speed where the boat is located, and how many miles the boat has to go until the finish line, which is located off the St. David's Lighthouse.

For chart coverage of Bermuda, Imray E5 is preferred by many. The Atlantic Crossing Guide also includes much valuable information on sailing to Bermuda, as well as charts and port information for Bermuda and all of the preferred routes for crossing the Atlantic.

Extra! Extra! Update!!!! The following are official newswires from Bermuda:

Tuesday, June 20, Hamilton, Bermuda – Hap Fauth’s race yacht Bella Mente was the first to finish the Centennial Newport Bermuda race at 15:12:18 EDT today after a fourth night of light winds frustrated many of their larger rivals including the 98ft New Zealand line honors favorite Maximus. Bella Mente's spectacular performance upset all predictions and leaves Fauth and his crew from Newport a good chance of winning the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Trophy for the best time on handicap.

Thursday, June 22, Hamilton, Bermuda – The long wait is nearly over for many among the 263- fleet participating in the Newport Bermuda Centennial race. With over 200 yachts reaching the finish over the last 24 hours, the provisional winners are eyeing up the coveted Gibbs Hill and St. David’s Lighthouse Trophies. The man with most anticipation is Dr. Richard Shulman from Barrington, Rhode Island, whose lifelong dream of winning the Lighthouse trophy finally looks set to become reality.

His IMX 45, Temptress, not only heads her class but the entire professional ORR section of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division racing for the ORR Gibbs Hill Lighthouse trophy including Hap Fauth’s line honors victor Bella Mente. "We knew we had a good shot at winning this race as soon as we saw the kind of weather we would have," said Shulman today, adding. "I have one of the greatest crews who have been sailing with me for many years, and we have a boat that is extremely fast in light airs."

Friday, June 23, Hamilton, Bermuda -- In what has proved to be a true navigator's race, traditional, older yachts dominated the amateur St Davids Lighthouse Division in this year's centennial Newport Bermuda Race. Peter Rebovich's 40-foot Sinn Fein won the St. David's Lighthouse Trophy under ORR (the Offshore Rating Rule) and William Hubbard III's 37-foot Lively Lady II took the St. David's Lighthouse Trophy under the IRC Rule. Both yachts are over 25 years old.

Visit the official web site to view the final race results for each division!