Newport is synonymous with sailing, so it's only fitting that we kick start summer with the return of a renowned ocean race. The Newport Bermuda Race, the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race dating back to 1906, and one of just two of the world’s regularly scheduled races held almost entirely out of sight of land, returns to our Classic Coast on Friday, June 17, 2022. 

 

ABOUT THE RACE

The Newport to Bermuda race is nicknamed “The Thrash to the Onion Patch” because most Bermuda races include high winds and large waves (a combination sailors call “a hard thrash”), and because Bermuda is an agricultural island. This year marks the 52nd running of the Bermuda Race since the founding in 1906. 

A race not designed for novices, the course kicks off at Castle Hill and crosses the rough Gulf Stream, concluding 635 Atlantic Ocean miles later off Bermuda's St. David's Lighthouse. Since the course is mostly out of the reach from rescue helicopters and Bermuda is guarded by a dangerous reef, the race demands intense prowess and a well-built boat that meets stringent equipment requirements. 

 

 

VIEWING SPOTS

The start of the race offers spectacular views as more than 150 boats maneuver their way through the East Passage of Narragansett Bay, beginning at Castle Hill at 1:00 PM, and the last start, by 3:30 PM. Since the start is close to land, you can grab a seat at a number of public spots along the shore, or watch from the water (please be kind, no wake), or online.

Note: Castle Hill Inn is already sold out for their packaged event. Visit their website for more details

 

ABOUT THE TEAMS

The average crew is comprised of ten sailors, all congregating from across the world. In 2016 sailors represented 23 different countries, and 55 of the boats had at least one sailor from outside of the United States, and in 2018 a total of 170 boats entered. 

This year’s event is expected to have between 150 and 200 boats competing.

 

 

HOW LONG IS THE RACE?

Depending on the weather, the infamous strong currents of the Gulf Stream and the boat’s size and speed, the race takes anywhere from two to six days, with the first boat arriving at the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse between Sunday and Monday, and the smaller boats arriving between Monday and Wednesday or Thursday.

 

Prefer to view the action from the water? Sit back and relax on your choice of charter cruise.

 

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