The Newport Bermuda Race is considered one of the premier offshore challenges, renowned for its demanding 636-mile course through the complex Gulf Stream and its warm, welcoming finish in Bermuda. It’s a true milestone race—drawing sailors willing to take on the preparation and logistics for the thrill of the “Thrash to the Onion Patch.”

In 2026, at least two yachts will be making the trip from the Great Lakes to the Fort Adams Starting Line. Denali 4 and Mad Cap both recently took on the Chicago Mackinac Race and have their sights set on the Bermuda Race.

“For my partners and me it's been a bucket list race for a while now and this presents an opportunity to see that through on a great platform,” said George Miz, part of the team that is racing the Santa Cruz 72 next year. 

The 2026 race will be the first NBR for many aboard. The effort to get the yacht to the starting line is a team effort through a syndicate between Mad Cap’s owners John and Marian Hoskins and Miz’s ownership partnership on another Chicago-based boat. Alongside Peter Dreher, Mark Hatfield, and David Neenan, Miz and the Mad Cap crew make up a team to watch in 2026.

Denali 4 is currently being built in Valencia and will be shipped to the East Coast when she is finished this coming winter, says owner William McKinley. “The boat is designed for the great 600 mile races like the Bermuda Race, Caribbean 600, Aegean 600, and the Rolex Middle Sea Race,” he said.

This will be McKinley’s fourth Bermuda Race and he and his crew are excited to get back to Newport. “The best thing about the Bermuda Race is starting and finishing in two of the coolest places in the world. Plus it’s a tactical and interesting race that's different from any other regattas.”

Other returning Bermuda Race veterans recently sailed in the 100th Fastnet Race. 2024’s runner-up Hound finished 16th overall in the 380 boat fleet, 2nd in the IRC2 class and the top Classic Yacht after sailing from Newport to Cowes in the 2025 Transatlantic Race. Also sailing around Fastnet Rock were NBR alums Argo, Avanti, Abracadabra, Final Final, In Theory, Privateer, and Pyewacket.
If you and your crew are considering registering for 2026’s Bermuda Race, the time to register and prepare is now! Information on how to sign up, meet qualifications, and prep your team can all be found on BermudaRace.com. Also check out our series of webinars from earlier this year on what to expect and how to prepare. We’ll see you on the Starting Line next June 19!