Hydroid Completes Newport-Bermuda Ocean Race

Hydroid Regional Sales Manager Rick Morton competes in 635-mile race from Newport to Bermuda

Hydroid, Inc., a subsidiary of Kongsberg Maritime and manufacturer of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), today announced Regional Sales Manager Rick Morton has successfully completed the 49th Newport Bermuda Race, along with the Kongsberg team. The team finished in five days, placing 10th in their division and 75th overall, out of 162 boats. Only two hours separated the second place boat in their division from the 12th.

Founded in 1926 by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, The Newport Bermuda Race is a 635-mile ocean race spanning from Newport, R.I. to Bermuda. The race typically lasts between three to six days, with land out of sight from almost start to finish. Kongsberg competed aboard Cecilie Viking with a crew of nine+ reserves in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division, the largest division at approximately 90 boats. Morton was the only crewmember from Hydroid.

“It was an honor to race on behalf of Kongsberg this year,” said Morton, who grew up in Newport and is a third generation sailor. “Despite light winds, I was very impressed with our crew’s determination to keep the boat moving in trying conditions. It was a great ride to Bermuda and I am proud to say that I was part of the Cecilie Viking crew.”

This was Morton’s seventh Newport Bermuda Race; a family tradition that started when his dad and grandfather competed in their first Newport Bermuda Race in 1972. In 1998 Morton was part of the crew that won the race, and in 1982 his father was the skipper on the boat that won. This year, Morton’s father and brother-in-law also competed in the race, finishing fourth and second in their divisions. Morton has competed in over 1,000 races, including the Annapolis to Newport Race, the Figawi Race and the St. Maarten Heineken Regatta.

“We are honored to support Rick’s lifelong passion for sailing, and thrilled that he was able to participate alongside the Kongsberg team this year,” said Duane Fotheringham, President of Hydroid. “Congratulations to this team and all of the teams that competed on a job well done.”

This year’s race was especially meaningful for the Kongsberg team as it aligned with the company’s 200th year anniversary. Kongsberg competed in two offshore sailing events this year as part of the Kongsberg Extreme 200 Offshore Race: The Newport Bermuda Race, and the Shetland Race in Norway.

km.kongsberg.com

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