June 30th, 2026
The 2026 Newport Bermuda Race proved to be a memorable offshore passage for Moody DS54, SOUTHERN CROSS, as she completed the iconic 635-nautical-mile course from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda in just over four days. Aboard as part of the six-person crew were Berthon USA brokers Alan Baines and Peter Houghton, who joined the experienced team for one of offshore sailing’s most prestigious races.
Known affectionately as the “Thrash to the Onion Patch,” the Newport Bermuda Race earned its nickname from the traditionally tough upwind conditions crews often face on the passage to Bermuda, once famous for its onion exports. This year’s race, however, offered a very different experience, with fast-reaching conditions dominating the opening stages.
For the first two days, SOUTHERN CROSS enjoyed exhilarating sailing, regularly recording speeds of up to 14 knots. The six-person crew, including Berthon USA brokers Alan Baines and Peter Houghton, settled into a simple but effective watch system, rotating between three hours on watch and three hours off.
By Sunday, the yacht reached the Gulf Stream. Unlike the 2024 race, when SOUTHERN CROSS encountered a south-flowing eddy for nearly 100 miles, this year’s crossing was made almost at a perfect 90-degree angle. The familiar signs of entering the Gulf Stream, the noticeable rise in sea temperature and its striking azure-blue waters, were present, but the crossing itself was remarkably calm and uneventful.
Once clear of the Gulf Stream, the breeze faded dramatically. Like much of the fleet, SOUTHERN CROSS experienced between 18 and 24 hours of frustratingly light airs, with wind speeds ranging from flat calm to just 8 knots.
By Monday, the wind gradually filled in from the south-southwest before veering southwest, allowing the yacht to enjoy an enjoyable close fetch all the way to the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse in Bermuda. SOUTHERN CROSS crossed the line at 4:00 pm, completing the race in 4 days and 2 hours, a result the crew were delighted with.
As is often the case in handicap racing, however, the final standings told a different story. This year’s weather pattern favoured the slower boats, many of which avoided the worst of the prolonged wind hole. In the Finisterre Class, the two slowest yachts, both Hinckley SW48s, claimed first and second on corrected time, while the fastest entries, including a Nautor Swan 75 and an Oyster 885, finished at the bottom of the handicap rankings.
Ranked as the fourth-fastest yacht in class under handicap, SOUTHERN CROSS ultimately placed fourth from last on corrected time. Despite that, the crew finished the race with a fast passage, a safe crossing, and another rewarding Newport Bermuda Race experience to add to the logbook.
While the handicap results may not have fallen in SOUTHERN CROSS’s favour this year, the race once again showcased the Moody DS54’s offshore capability, comfort and impressive passagemaking performance. At Berthon USA, we’re proud supporters of Moody Yachts and have long admired their blend of bluewater cruising ability and practical design. If you’d like to learn more about the Moody range, visit our dedicated Moody Yachts page to explore these exceptional yachts in greater detail.
https://berthonusa.com/new-yacht-sales/moody-yachts/
Contact alan.baines@berthonusa.com / peter.h@berthonusa.com
About Alan Baines | About Peter Houghton | Meet the Berthon Sales Group
