Connecting two iconic sailing towns

The 2025 Annapolis-to-Newport Race got underway with starts on Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, for the 475-nautical mile passage connecting these two iconic sailing towns.

• The first group had 37 boats in four classes commence the 40th biennial edition in in south-southeasterly winds ranging from 5 to 7 knots. “The challenge is to get out of the bay before the wind dies,” explained Keith Cole, skippering the J/124 Lucky Eights. “We should have enough breeze to get most of the way down the bay by late Friday night or early Saturday morning, but then it peters out. It’s possible we could have a spinnaker ride most of the way to Newport.” – Full report

• An hour before the Saturday start, a massive storm front swept over Annapolis. It steadily grew darker and more ominous as boats motored towards the starting area before the skies opened and torrential rain came down sending sailors scurrying down below to avoid getting soaked to the bone. The start was postponed for 40 minutes to allow for a southeasterly sea breeze to fill in, then sent the 34 boats in three classes down the Bay. – Full report

Event information – Race details – Tracker