Under normal circumstances keen sailor Somers Kempe would be sailing in the Newport Bermuda Race.

But that has not been the case this year.

As Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, co-hosts of the biennial race, Mr Kempe has been assisting with the organisation of the race at both ends of the course.

His duties in Newport last week included offering support to race Chairman Fred Deichmann and also representing the RBYC at official gatherings.

Since returning, Mr Kempe has been even busier assisting with the mooring of the racing fleet after they have completed the 635-mile ocean race, the prizegiving ceremony at Government House as well as the running of the RBYC’s Anniversary Regatta, which is the third and final leg of the Onion Patch Series, that also includes the New York Annual Regatta and Newport Bermuda Race.

“This is the biggest commitment of the commodore of the yacht club,” Mr Kempe said. “There is a lot of preparation and organisation that goes into that whole week in Bermuda which could not be done without an army of volunteers and the fantastic staff we have down at the club.”

Mr Kempe is a veteran of ten Newport Bermuda Races, a race he rates highly.

“It’s an iconic ocean race and possibly the best in the world,” he said. “The Newport Bermuda Race is a true test and not everyone gets to do it.

“The race tests the sailors and the organisation of the crew. It’s a tough race and if you are able to say you have done a Bermuda Race then you have done something.”

Among those who accompanied Mr Kempe in Newport last week were RBYC vice-commodore Leatrice Roman and RBYC honorary secretary Andy Burnett- Herkes.

Ms Roman was the sole Bermuda representative on the Start Committee boat that saw the fleet on their way out of Newport last Friday, while Mr Burnett-Herkes serves on the race’s inspection committee.