After setting off on 2 August from Cowes, Isle of Wight, England on her qualifying passage and delivery trip across the Atlantic on board Open 60 ‘Pindar’, British skipper Emma Richards finally pulled into Bermuda early yesterday morning for a quick pit stop.

Suffering from very light airs during the last week, Emma’s progress to her ultimate destination, Newport Rhode Island, was slowing drastically, despite clocking up 28 knots in the first week of sailing an Open 60 boat single-handedly. After checking in with the harbour master, she slipped in to Bermuda, picking up one of her shore team plus 300 litres of diesel and some groceries before setting off for her final destination later in the day. “I was getting tired, and just found it hard to sleep in this weather, so the last couple of days were frustrating, but it’s been a great trip.

“I know I said I would resist the temptation to stop in Bermuda, but it seemed the best thing to do in order to complete my qualification. I’m just going to have a slap up lunch and then set off. There’s a great 15knot wind out there, it’s gorgeous weather for sailing now!”