For 2026, the Newport Bermuda Race is once again living up to its reputation as a truly global offshore regatta. As the fleet continues to grow toward an anticipated 152 boats ahead of the June 2026 start, yachts and sailors from around the world are preparing to meet on the starting line for the iconic “Thrash to the Onion Patch.”

“The Newport Bermuda Race has an incredible reputation in offshore sailing,” said Anne Tyler Morgan of the Sail Racing Academy. Her organization is sending a first-time Bermuda Race entry, Team Whitewave, sailing under the British flag aboard the BENETEAU First 40.7 Escapado. “It sits in that sweet spot of being both historic and highly relevant to modern offshore racing, with a strong emphasis on seamanship, preparation, and good decision-making.”

Adding to the global flair, Team WhiteWave hails from the WhiteWave Sailing Centre in Shenzhen, China, and brings serious offshore credentials, having recently completed both the Rolex Sydney Hobart and the Rolex Fastnet Race.

Also crossing the Atlantic are Andrew and Sam Hall, who will co-skipper their J/125 Jackknife. Both sailors are no strangers to the event, having competed in multiple Bermuda Races aboard a variety of boats.

“This edition is special for us as it marks a return to the U.S. East Coast for the first time since pre-COVID,” said Sam Hall, reporting from aboard Jackknife during the recent RORC Transatlantic Race. “This boat is very special to Dad and me—it’s where we started racing together at home in North Wales, sailing weekends in the Irish Sea with friends. We’re also hoping to have many of our Welsh mates join us for the race.”

The duo will be looking to build on past Bermuda Race success, including a third-in-class finish aboard the J/121 Jackhammer, their first offshore podium together.

Both Team WhiteWave and Jackknife will compete in next month’s RORC Caribbean 600 before heading north toward Newport.

Oakcliff Sailing, the Long Island Sound–based sailing school led by Dawn Riley, continues to be a local hub for international teams seeking charter opportunities. With boats ranging from the OC86 to Turbo Farr 40s and a Class 40, Oakcliff offers options that can be crewed by current students or bareboat-chartered in the weeks leading up to the race. In 2024 alone, teams from Canada and China took advantage of these opportunities.

For sailors not looking to charter an entire boat, individual berths are also available. Legendary circumnavigator and author of the definitive book on celestial navigation, Tapio Lehtinen, is offering ocean training berths aboard his Finnish-flagged, Finnish-built Swan 55 yawl Galiana. Lehtinen departed Europe earlier this season on a multi-leg training program as part of his preparation for the 2027 Ocean Globe Race. Like many international entrants, Galiana is currently in the Caribbean preparing for next month’s RORC Caribbean 600.

“If you are interested in learning to use a sextant and finding your position at sea the traditional way, come join us,” said Lehtinen. For adventure-minded sailors, it’s a rare opportunity to learn offshore skills from one of the sport’s true masters.

In both Newport and Hamilton, the festivities surrounding the Newport Bermuda Race are a symbol of global friendship in sailing, thanks to these international crews. Want to be part of the action? There is still time to register and prepare for this year’s race, as well as charter one of the berths with some of these teams! Check out BermudaRace.com to find out more about entry processes and who has joined the fleet.