SIDELINES : Boomerang Crosses Line First

The sloop Boomerang of the New York Yacht Club emerged from the mist this morning to be the first of 145 boats to cross the finish line in the Newport, R.I., to Bermuda race.

Boomerang was sighted by the finish line committee, then lost from sight in a rain squall. It crossed the finish line at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club at 7:05 a.m., spokesman Talbot Wilson said.

Boomerang’s elapsed time since leaving Newport on Friday was 87 hours, 20 minutes, said Wilson. Its corrected time was 76:33, he said.

It was captain George Coumantaros’ 19th Bermuda race. He has finished first twice before, said Wilson. He did not know which years.

Coumantaros, of New York City, said the wind had been “on the nose” for the entire 640-mile course. The 81-foot Boomerang, a Class A yacht, led throughout.