33rd Annual Newport Regatta

Newport, RI (July 9, 2017) – It was a medley of weather conditions for the 33rd Annual Newport Regatta, hosted by Sail Newport on July 7-9 in Newport, RI. Typically the largest regatta of Newport’s summer sailing for one-design sailboats, the 600+ sailors got it all.

On Friday, the Melges 20, 110, RS Aero and J/70 sailors raced outside of Newport Harbor off the East shore of Jamestown, RI. It was a tough, rainy day with low visibility. The breeze started out a moderate easterly and built to a strong 16 – 18 knot northerly. Nevertheless, the Newport Regatta was on for those four classes.

On Saturday of the regatta, the sunshine arrived with a moderate southerly which built to 15 – 17 knots for “Chamber of Commerce” conditions.

Today, a light northwesterly shifted around to a light southwesterly. Over the afternoon, the southwesterly built for the five circles of racers. The sixteen classes of One-Design boats completed multiple races in winds in the upper teens.

The M32 class started an around-the-island race in light air earlier in the day and 17 miles later finished in 18-20 knot blustery conditions.

The twelve additional classes that raced on Saturday and Sunday included: 2.4mR, 29er, 5O5, Comet, Ensign, Etchells, Formula 18 Catamarans, J/24, Laser, Swan 42, VX One, and M32.

Overall, 177 boats competed on five areas of racing on Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound. The sailors travelled from 24 U.S. States and three countries to participate.

The Dr. Robin Wallace Trophy was awarded to Laser sailor John Kirkpatrick (Portsmouth, RI), which recognizes the sailor with the best performance in the regatta. After eleven races, Kirkpatrick’s final score was a low 13 points after dropping a ninth place. Kirkpatrick is only 17 years old and led a fleet of veteran Laser sailors and class champions with finishes of 2-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 – 3; (13).

Event details – Results

Source: Sail Newport