Swan 45s Plenty & Devocean competing in the Newport Bermuda Race

23 June 2008

On Friday, Alex Roepers’ Plenty, as well as Steve Devoe’s Devocean, were among the 198 boats to start the 2008 Newport Bermuda Race. The race should take teams three to six days to cross a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that is known for challenging weather and strong currents.

This is Plenty’s fifth time racing in the intense 635-mile offshore race, Roepers’ third time with his Swan 45. In 2004, Plenty placed third in their Class and finished ninth overall while the St. David’s Lighthouse Trophy went to Swan 45, Alliance owned by Dominick Porco (New York). In 2006, Plenty came in a close third in the Class defeating DSK-Comifin (ITA) by only four minutes after a lengthy, seven day race.

“We are hoping that this edition of the Newport Bermuda Race will have a more consistent breeze and that if the wind picks up Monday, we can be ahead of it,” Roepers commented. Speaking about his crew, Roepers added “My crew will comprise of incredibly experienced offshore sailors.” The professionals onboard include; Adrienne Callahan (AUS) as navigator, Darren Jones (AUS), and Paul Van Dyk (USA).

Roepers grew up in Holland sailing small boats until 1990 when began racing as a crew member in the Farr 40 fleet. In 2003, he bought his first yacht a Swan 45 and then in 2007 a Farr 40. When asked how he came about the name Plenty, Roepers replied, “I was always a fan of James Bond movies and one of the Bond girls was named Plenty.”

Following on from the Newport Bermuda Race, Plenty will return to Newport where she will be then be shipped to Sardinia for the Swan 45 Worlds in September. Roepers will travel to the Mediterranean with his usual crew to race in the Swan 45 Worlds during the Rolex Swan Cup. With Bill Hardesty calling tactics, the team is anxiously looking forward to defending their World Championship title in Porto Cervo.

“This year, we are going in there a little cold turkey because we haven’t raced the Swan 45 since the Worlds last year in Cowes. The other Swan 45s have had a lot of practice in the Mediterranean this season in Scarlino, Capri and Palma…but, we hope with a few days of practice we will be up to par. The Swan 45 Class is keen competition, so we have to be on our game,” said Roepers.

For more information and to track Plenty and Devocean, visit www.bermudarace.com.