July 24, 2003

Flying the MGH banner for a nautical challenge

Leaving the medical world behind for a week, Jose Venegas, PhD, and Warren Zapol, MD, of MGH Anesthesia and Critical Care, set sail on the open seas to compete in the Marion-Bermuda Yacht Race (MBR) that began June 20. The MBR is a 645-mile race starting in Marion, Mass. and ending at St. David's Light in Bermuda. Venegas, the skipper, used his bioengineering expertise to maneuver the sails and monitor the winds to get the Ipanema — Venegas's boat — to Bermuda at the highest possible speed. Zapol served as the team physician for the six-person crew. Out of 78 boats and six classes, the Ipanema earned second place in the C2 class with a time of 101 hours. The Ipanema also was awarded the Commodores's Cup for the best performance by a Blue Water Sailing Club yacht.