BERMUDA Sunday, 8 July, 2018 — Today 17 boats take off from Bermuda on an Anniversary Race across the Atlantic to Hamburg, Germany. The Atlantic Anniversary Regatta (AAR) celebrates the 150th Anniversary of the hosting club, while the Ocean Racers team campaigns for the future of offshore racing.
Over 3500 NM await the fleet, which includes futuristic race machines like Rambler 88 and IMOCA 60 Malizia. Although a more modest boat, Ocean Racers have put together an impressive Under 35, Mixed and International team on their Pogo 12.50. The cruising version of the Class 40 serves as great platform to develop sailors who wish to compete in this class and above — high aspirations that this crew certainly shares.
Ocean Racers is an owner-operated international sailing team and network, co-skippered by owners Morgen Watson (CANADA) and Meg Reilly (USA). The duo have over 150,000 NM combined, 9 and 5 Transatlantics respectively, and are on a mission to build the next generation of ocean racers. Both 28, the team previously managed an Open 60, and attracts fellow aspiring offshore athletes who are looking to build miles and experience in prestigious ocean races around the world.
For the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta, the team set forth a mission of an all Under 35 Team, and has succeeded by bringing together an eclectic group of sailors from North America and Europe. Aside from the skippers, this is the crew’s first Transatlantic as the team welcomes aboard Rob Mills (32, USA), Jan Scharnetzky (28, GERMANY), Bowden Herlin (24, USA), and Thomas Joffrin (19, FRANCE). All sailors share similar beginnings, but all have different careers and goals for future sailing.
“I don’t know what I’d study… I think Mini Transat is a great degree,” joked Thomas as he reflected on his commitment to pursuing a career in sailing. The Mini Transat appears to be a hot topic amongst the crew, as Rob Mills was a former Mini owner, and a couple of the crew have some “Mini” aspirations. Thoughts are always upward with this group, as Rob’s bucket list is competing in the TJV on a Class 40, and Morgen is eager to get back on the IMOCA 60s, potentially next time with the Volvo Ocean Race.
With few formal ocean races even available to the public, opportunity plays a huge role in building the future of this sport. Ocean Racers eagerly takes advantage of the pioneering spirit of the NRV AAR hosting club and the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC), which also have their own youth development initiatives. Ocean Racers are members of RORC and have competed in the RORC Caribbean 600 and will compete in the RORC Transatlantic later this year.
“I was able to manage the Open 60, O Canada, in my 20s because someone gave me an opportunity. From O Canada days and now with our Pogo, Hermes, we are still providing opportunities for fellow aspiring sailors and are, as a result, building a great network of young talent from around the world,” said Morgen. “When crew members can do a race with us and then move on to sail bigger and faster boats with elite programs, we know we are doing something right.”
“We have put together a great team of young sailors from around the world that have already become great friends. We have a lot of energy and enthusiasm for this race, and our boat was made for these conditions, so we hope to put on a good show!” said Meg.
Updates from the Ocean Racers team can be followed on Instagram and Facebook @oceanracers. Those interested in applying to join the team for future events can apply online at www.oceanracers.net