Roger Beach’s prediction of a gruelling battle just getting to the start line in the 24th Marion Bermuda Race proved precise, as he and co-helmsman Jeff Bennett grappled in the trying conditions.

The duo are among 21 yachts competing in the 645-mile race that were greeted by intense 30 to 45-knot winds and five-foot swells as they made their way towards the start line in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, yesterday.

The majority of racing fleet started on a starboard beam reach with some opting to manoeuvre closer out of the bay as they made their way towards open seas.

“I think the hardest part will be getting the boat to the start line and then obviously it’s a pretty arduous race,” Beach told The Royal Gazette on the eve of the race.

“I think the first 24 hours out of Marion will be pretty busy for us and then we’re hoping to settle into more of a rhythm and just send the boat to Bermuda.”

At last check, the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club commodore and Canadian Bennett were sixth among the eight boats competing in Class A and twelfth in line honours.

They were travelling along at over eight knots and are hoping to complete the race in under four days if all goes according to plan.

The duo are making their debut in the biennial race and are also competing double-handed for the first time on the 33ft yacht Avalon, the smallest boat in the fleet and Bermuda’s sole entry in the race.

The double-handed division, allowing boats to race with just two crew members, is a new addition to the race and features a celestially navigated class and an electronically navigated class, in which Beach and Bennett are competing.

While they are making their race debut, the duo are no strangers to blue-water racing, having previously competed in the Newport Bermuda Race on Paul Hubbard’s Bermuda Oyster.

Setting the early pace at the front of the fleet was Pike Severance’s 50ft yacht Redwood, which is also competing in Class A alongside Beach and Bennett.