MARION — With three foot waves and strong winds, sailors participating in the Marion to Bermuda race were in for a rough start on Buzzards Bay. 

Even before the race began, the 21 competitors struggled in the intense winds to reach the start line in the waters Friday, June 20.

With horns echoing across the bay, many sailors began the race with sails unfurled and clothes soaked through as they set off for the Bermuda Islands. According to SeaTemperature.org, Buzzards Bay was 65 degrees at the beginning of the regatta.

Skippers and their crews are using compasses, GPS and celestial navigation to reach the Bermuda Islands in a journey that can take between four and five days.

Five of the 21 boats sailing this year are opting to use celestial navigation, or, the action of sailing to a destination by observing the sun, moon and stars.

Four boats are being skippered by Marion residents. R. Davis Webb is skippering Ardent, Ronald Wisner is skippering Hotspur II, Mark Lindquist is skippering Raptor and Michael Malone is skippering Rossaveal.

The race can be viewed live online and the boats are expected to reach the Bermuda Islands in the coming days.