Bermuda Race

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The Bermuda Race, or Newport Bermuda Race, is a biennial yacht race from Newport, Rhode Island to the island of Bermuda, a distance of 635 nautical miles (1175 km) across open ocean. First held in 1906, “The Bermuda Race is the pre-eminent distance race on the East Coast,” according to Gary Jobson, the Honorary Chair of the event's centennial race. “It’s a feather in every sailor’s cap to have done the race, and many consider the Lighthouse Trophy the most coveted trophy in distance racing.”

The first Bermuda Race started in 1906 from Gravesend Bay, N.Y. with three entries. The race was held several times in the 1900s and 1920s. Starting in 1926, the Cruising Club of America (CCA) and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) have co-organized the race, setting a regular schedule for holding the race in even-numbered years. That schedule has continued to the present except for a hiatus during World War II. In early years, the race started at Gravesend, Marblehead, Mass., New London, Conn. and Montauk, N.Y., but since 1938 it has started at Newport.

The 1906 race was won by Tamerlane, a 38 ft (11 m) yawl, captained by Frank Maier in a time of 126 hours. The best time, 54 hr, was set by Pyewacket in 2002. The 2006 race is scheduled to begin on June 16.