The diary of the British 45-footer Whimsical of Wight (her crew calls her WoW) in the 2008 Newport Bermuda Race proves that the Gulf Stream experience can be extremely enjoyable without winning silverware. Here’s the diary exactly as Tony Riley e-mailed it to friends and family during the race.
Co-owned by Tony Riley and Robert S. Childs (a member of the Royal Bermuda YC), Whimsical of Wight is a Malo 45 based in Lymington, England. 
She was sailed across the Atlantic for the race and returned home afterwards. Her crew (all British except as noted): Tony Riley (admiral/editor-in-chief), Rob Childs (skipper), James Riley, Nick Pascall, Ricky Hornet, Jamie Billings (Bermudian), and Tim Corfield. Whimsical of Wight finished 14th in Class 6 in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division.
Autopilot use violates St. David Lighthouse Division rules. It is allowed in the Cruiser and Double-Handed Divisions.
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the diary and great photos