Strong Turnout for Late Summer Classic

The 45th edition of Buzzards Bay Regatta is on track to be an exciting event, drawing boats from local, traditional classes as well as from some of the most popular sportboats currently on the racing circuit. With racing on August 4-6, nearly 150 teams have their sights on this famed summer venue in South Dartmouth, MA.

A highlight event will be the J/70 class competing for their second annual Corinthian National Championship. With the class dominated by professional crew, the Corinthian Nationals shine the spotlight on “friends and family” teams that hold Group 3 designations from World Sailing. Returning to defend his title is Peter McChesney from Annapolis, MD.

Others competing for Class Championships include the VX Evo and VX One (East Coast Championships in both cases) and the venerable Shields Class. With fleets to the northeast (Marion), southeast (Edgartown) and southwest (Newport, Larchmont), these classic greyhounds will meet at the crossroads, Gettysburg-style, to battle it out for their New England Championships.

In a nod to the future, kiteboards will be competing at this year’s BBR. They will be launching and sailing out of West Island in Fairhaven, but will very much be a part of the social and shore side activities at the Club following racing each night.

One final departure from years past will be a Friday coastal race, with Offshore Multihulls and Swan Class 42s setting out from just off Castle Hill in Newport, RI to the southwest, finishing in the afternoon off the breakwater in South Dartmouth, MA. As the last Swan 42 Class event before September’s Invitational Cup, there should be a great battle up the coast in that class.

Other classes returning to BBR include Laser Masters, NEMA Multihull, International 505, and three PHRF divisions – Race, Cruise and Doublehanded.

Event information – Race details – Entry list – Facebook