Bermuda Race Facts
(Compiled by race historian John Rousmaniere in 2016; updated, June 2024)
The 636-mile biennial Newport Bermuda Race is the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race, one of very few international distance races, and (with the Transpac Race) one of just two of the world’s regularly scheduled races held almost entirely out of sight of land. Founded in 1906, the Bermuda Race was held for the 53rd time in 2024.
The race's purpose was stated in 1923 by Cruising Club of America Commodore Herbert L. Stone: “In order to encourage the designing, building, and sailing of small seaworthy yachts, to make popular cruising upon deep water, and to develop in the amateur sailor a love of true seamanship, and to give opportunity to become proficient in the art of navigation. . . .”
Between 150 and 200 boats typically sail the race. The largest fleet, 265 boats, sailed in the centennial race in 2006. The second largest, 197 boats, turned out in 2008.
A Typical Newport Bermuda Race
Although it is identified with the New England coast, the race attracts sailors from across North America and the globe, with recent entries from Russia, Britain, Germany, and other countries. The average crew has 10 men or women, often including many from the same family. Typically, 25 to 30 percent of captains are sailing their first Newport Bermuda Race in command. The race starts off Newport, R.I., in front of many spectators, on the third Friday in June. It takes more than two hours to get the fleet started. Boats are rated and handicapped under the Offshore Racing Rule.
In 2024, the starting line was moved north to Fort Adams State Park to allow for the Newport community to watch from along the shoreline extended the race by one mile.
Depending on the weather and the currents in the Gulf Stream, and the boat’s size and speed, the race takes two to six days. The first boat arrives at the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse on Sunday or Monday, and the smaller boats arrive between then and Wednesday or Thursday.
The race is demanding. The rules say, “The Newport Bermuda Race is not a race for novices.” The course crosses the rough Gulf Stream and is mostly out of the range of rescue helicopters, and Bermuda is guarded by a dangerous reef. The race is nicknamed “the Thrash to the Onion Patch” because most Bermuda Races include high winds and big waves (a combination sailors call “a hard thrash”), and because Bermuda is an agricultural island.
The race demands good seamanship, great care, and a boat that is both well-built and properly equipped. The boats must meet stringent equipment requirements and undergo inspection, and the sailors must also pass a review and undergo training in safety. The bonds formed by these sailors are strong. Numerous sailors have sailed more than 10 races, often with family and friends, and the Gulf Stream Society recognizes long-time participants.
Race Organization
The race was first run in 1906, and going back to 1923, the relationship between the organizing clubs has stood the test of time, too. Over all those years, the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club have served as co-managers, working through the volunteer Bermuda Race Organizing Committee. In 2022, the The Bermuda Race Foundation, Inc. was founded to independently serve as the Organizing Authority.
There are up to eight divisions, each for a type of boat. The race has no overall winner, only division winners, though the winning boat in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division—the largest in the race, and a division dedicated to amateur sailors—is often regarded as the race’s top boat.
Participation:
Typical participation by region:
Fostering and Recognizing Diversity
In recognition of the great diversity of modern sailing, the race has recently created divisions and classes for unique type of boats (for instance cruisers and double-handers) and has introduced several special awards:
Trophies and other prizes (more than 100 in all) are presented by Bermuda’s Governor at a ceremony at Government House, overlooking Bermuda. (In 2024, this is held at Pier 6 due to renovations).
The Bermuda Race Roll of Honour recognizes the contributions of sailors to the race’s stature and long history. Honorees are Thomas Fleming Day, race founder in 1906; Clarence Kozlay and Robert Somerset, who together saved the lives of ten sailors from a burning boat in the 1932 Bermuda Race; Sir Eldon Trimingham, who revived the race and represented the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for many years; Carleton Mitchell, three-time race winner 1956-60; George Coumantaros, skipper with the most elapsed time victories and sailor in 26 Bermuda Races; Olin J. Stephens II, designer of many Bermuda Race winners and a longtime race advisor; Bermudian Warren A.H. Brown, who sailed in 20 Bermuda Races and voyaged to the corners of the seas; E. Llwyd Ecclestone, Jr. who won the St. David's Lighthouse Division in 1998 while sailing 23 races through 2018; and Richard S. Nye, who sailed many races aboard his yachts named Carina and was a two-time winner (1952 and 1970).
History
First Bermuda Race, May 1906, Brooklyn to Bermuda. There were three starters between 28 and 40 feet in length. The winner of the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy was Tamerlane, 38-foot yawl owned by Franklin Maier, skippered by Thomas Fleming Day.
Bermuda Race progeny: The race inspired the Fastnet Race in England, the Port-Huron to Mackinac Race on the Great Lakes, and the Off Soundings Club (among others).
Accidents: Boats lost: two (Adriana, fire 1932; Elda, grounding 1956). Lives lost, two. 1932 - Fire, 2022 - Man over board.
Boats:
Fastest races:
Monohull: Comanche, 34 hrs., 42 min., 53 sec. (ave. 18.3 knots), 2016
St. David's Lighthouse Division: Kodiak, 46:53:12, 2012
Multihull: Argo, 33:00:09, 2022
Slowest race: Venturer, 121:13:12 (ave. 5.2 knots), 1960
Largest winner: Margaret, 93 feet, 1909; (modern) Boomerang, 80 feet, 1996
Smallest winner: Burgoo, 37 feet, 1964
Most victories, skipper—
Most victories, boat—
Successive victories—
Non-U.S. winner: Noryema, U.K., 1972
Freshwater winner: Scaramouche, Chuck Kirsch (Sturgis, Mich.), 1974
Most first to finishes, skipper: 4, George Coumantaros in two Boomerangs (1984, 1990, 1992, 1996).
Most first-to-finishes, boat: 3 (tie): Baruna, (1936, 1946, 1948), Bolero (1950, 1954, 1956), Boomerang (1984, 1990, 1992).
Most wins by a yacht designer: Olin Stephens, 14 (1934-1994)
Winning skippers who also won America’s Cups – Harold S. Vanderbilt, Ted Hood
Most races by a sailor:
Most races by a boat under one owner:
Most races by a boat:
Women sailors:
Oldest winning skippers:
Youngest winning skipper: Kyle Weaver, Constellation, 1992 (22)
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Eight Bells for John Osmond, a dedicated sailor who competed in 15 Bermuda Races and served as the 2012 Chair and PRO for the following decade. John, alongside his beloved wife Ellyn, was an integral part of the Bermuda Race community for many years. His passion for offshore racing and sailing was unmatched, and his calm and kind demeanor left a lasting impact. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Learn more about his extraordinary life here.