Third try for 75th Block Island Race

Published on February 4th, 2022

After a pandemic in 2020 and extreme weather in 2021, the 75th Block Island Race will try again in 2022 when it plans to start the 186nm race on May 2 off Stamford, CT.

“We are hoping ‘the third time’s a charm’ in 2022 to complete the long awaited 75th Block Island Race,” said John Troy, Race Chair. “There is also a new 132nm PHRF Course that is entirely in Long Island Sound. This is a great way for owners and crews to participate if they don’t have the desire or enough experience to do the full course.”

The 2022 Race is expected to have a large participating fleet as many crews use the overnight race as a warm up for the Newport-Bermuda Race which currently has over 200 boats signed up for the 2022 edition.

The fleet will be divided into the Block Island Course (186nm) for ORC, PHRF, and Multihull boats 29 feet or more LOA, and The Plum Island Course (132nm) for PHRF boats 26 feet or more and rated 81 to 174. Doublehanded, multihulls, and Plus-1 divisions are also welcome.

“We know this event is a catalyst for the racing season, especially in a Bermuda year, so we look forward to some great racing followed by a celebration at Stamford Yacht Club,” said STC Commodore Ed Cesare.

Significant changes to the Notice of Race have been made to improve safety standards for boats (NoR 1.4) and crews (NoR 15). There is a requirement for a certain percentage of crew to have attended an International Offshore Safety at Sea Course, which is good for five years. There are still a few spaces available in Storm Trysail’s May 15th Safety at Sea Seminar at SUNY Maritime.

The Block Island Race is a qualifier for the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy, the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy, and the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF). The Block Island Race is also a qualifier for the De Coursey Fales, Sagola and Windigo Trophies, the du Moulin Cup for Double Handed Racing and the Youth Challenge Cup awarded by the YRA- LIS, as well as the STC Rugg Family Youth Offshore Challenge, and the “Tuna Trophy” for the best ORC combined scores in the EDLU (40%) and the Block Island Race (60%).

Details: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eid=14971

Source: Storm Trysail Club