Jolly good idea all in all

The 2023 Block Island Race Week on June 19-23 is the 30th edition, generating memories of how this biennial event got started. That happened in 1965, and considering it was a bit of a bust racing-wise for the 175 boats due to fog and light winds, it came back two years later, let alone 29 more times.

It all started in 1964 when Commodore Jakob Isbrandtsen and New York Herald Tribune yachting reporter Everett B. Morris were inspired by Cowes Week in the UK and urged The Storm Trysail Club to organize something similar stateside.

The thought was Block Island was a great destination that was still close enough for most sailors and a good venue to establish such an event. The dominant theme was to be hard racing with fine competition and time for daily informal camaraderie ashore. While only three races over 6 days were completed for that first event, the format continues to thrive 58 years later.

The 2023 edition has 185 boats planning to attend, and to recognize those founders, the first Everett B. Morris Trophy was awarded in 1969 for the Best Performance Overall for the Week (ie Boat of the Week) and, in 1975, the first Isbrandtsen Overall Trophy was awarded (now best Corinthian Team).

In 2021, the Club decided to also recognize the dedication and devotion of sailors and volunteers by founding the North Light Society. Membership is for those who have participated in at least five Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Weeks, with graduating levels for the ten and fifteen regatta nautical milestones.

According to British Journalist, Bill Robinson’s detailed summary in Yachting Magazine back in 1965: “It was a noble experiment; excellent idea, well organized for a first try, Much hard work by many. Wonderful spirit among the sponsors….Jolly good idea all in all!”

So far, so good!