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 21, 2024. 

 

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 53rd running of the Bermuda Race since the founding in 1906. 

A race not designed for novices, the course kicks off at Fort Adams and crosses the rough Gulf Stream, concluding 636 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. 

Ørsted is an official Starting Line Live Show sponsor, learn more here. 

 

FAST FACTS:

  • Free Parking (or Water Taxis from downtown Newport)
  • Food Trucks 
  • Regatta Bar featuring Goslings Rum and Whalers Beer 
  • Live Broadcast with Commentary on the big screen
  • Shopping with Helly Hansen and Team One Newport
  • US Golf Championship Trophy viewing
  • Poster signing with Cole Brauer
  • Live Music with The Ravers
  • Artillery demonstration and Fort open for tours

For more information on the race, please click here. 

 

WHERE TO WATCH

Starting Line Live Show & Party at Fort Adams

Date: Friday, June 21
Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Fort Adams State Park

For the first time in the 118-year history of the Newport Bermuda Race, the starting line of iconic the 636-mile ocean race has moved off the shoreline of Fort Adams State Park and we are having a party to celebrate complete with live music, food trucks, the Gulf Stream Bar featuring Goslings Rum and Whalers Beer, games, and more FREE Family Fun. 

The party starts at noon and a Starting Line Live Show with Commentary from North Sails and Bermuda Race Record Holder, Ken Read, and Professional Sailor and Coach Jesse Fielding will start at 1:45.  They will provide expert narration and play-by-play on everything going down on the water. The first gun for the 170 boats wills be boat will be at 2:00 PM with waves up subsequent starts every ten minutes. Come celebrate!

To register for this FREE event, please click here. 

Aerial View of Fort Adams

 

Event Timeline

Starting Line Party

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Time: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Fort Adams State Park

Doors will open for spectators at Fort Adams State Park at noon with food trucks, the Gulf Stream Bar featuring Goslings Rum and Whalers Beer, Live Music, and Lawn Games. Helly Hansen and TeamOne Newport will have retail tents open for business, and other sponsors will be there to welcome you as well.

 

Starting Line Live Show

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Time: 1:45 - 4:00 PM
Location: Fort Adams State Park & Live Streamed

Delivering an immersive viewing experience never done before. Expert commentary with North Sails' Ken Read and Jesse Fielding, and captivating aerial footage will bring the excitement of the start close-up for those onsite and online. The live stream of the Starting Line Live Show will be on a giant screen in the park and streamed on bermudarace.com.

 

The Race Begins

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Time:  2:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Fort Adams State Park

The fleet is grouped into classes and starting groups that will cross the line off the western shore of Fort Adams every 10 minutes starting at 2:00 PM.

Newport Bermuda Race

 

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, and after a cancelled 2020 event, 2022 hosted 192 total boats. 

This year’s event is expected to have 170 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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