Bermuda Race Entry Guide
Overview
The Bermuda Race’s streamlined entry system, introduced in 2024, guides participants through all required tasks and checklists to meet race requirements. Competitors from 2024 can log in using their existing accounts. New entrants will need to create an account and follow the steps outlined below.
Skippers and owners may enter the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race starting June 19, 2025, at 1300 EDT. A 50% deposit is required to initiate entry. Fees are based on LOA, division, and entry date—early entries benefit from lower rates. The entry deadline is April 7, 2026.
For full details, refer to Notice of Race (NOR) - which will be published early June 2025.
How to Get to the Starting Line - A Guide for Entry
This guide is intended to help summarize the entry rules defined in the Notice of Race, which governs our race and all processes.
1. Begin by creating a new account on our entry system
- New accounts are only required if you did not participate in the 2024 race.
- Logins are required for all participants—both skippers and crew.
- Getting Started:
- Go to the login screen and click Sign Up Now.
- Enter a valid email address and verify it using the code sent to your inbox.
- Complete your personal details to finish creating your account.
- For Skippers and Entry Managers:
- During sign-up, check the box under Account Options indicating you intend to manage boats, crew, and race entries.
- You must also opt into email communications to proceed.
- Inviting Crew:
- Skippers can invite crew to join their entry directly, or crew can sign up independently and be added later to the Crew Locker (see Step 4)
2. Add a boat to your account
If you did not sail in 2024 or you have a new boat for 2026, in the
Race Entry Portal:
- From the left menu, select My Boats to add your boat details.
- If your boat is in the ORR database, details may auto-fill.
- If not, you’ll be prompted to enter them manually.
- Can't see My Boats?
- Go to My Account > My Details, scroll to Account Options, check the box for I intend to manage boats, crew, and race entries, then click Update to save.
3. Initiate entry of your boat in the Newport Bermuda Race. Pay initial entry fee.
Entry opens June 19, 2025, and closes April 6, 2026.
- Entry fees are based on LOA (ORR), division, and date of entry—early entries receive lower rates. A 50% deposit is required to initiate entry. Full details are in the NOR.
To enter:
- Log in to the Entry System.
- Go to Racing > Enter Races in the left menu.
- If you have multiple boats, select the correct one.
- Click the green Enter Race button.
- Choose your division, scroll down, and checkout to pay your deposit.
4. Invite Reserve PIC and/or Crew to your Crew Locker
To complete your entry, you must invite a Reserve Person In Charge (RPIC)—they must accept the invitation and create an account. Other crew can be invited and added later, up until the Crew Deadline.
To invite crew:
- Log in and go to My Crew Locker in the left menu.
- Click Invite and enter each crew member’s valid email address.
- They’ll receive a link to create an account and manage their info.
- Repeat for each crew member you'd like to add.
- Once crew members create accounts and accept your invite, you can add them to your Race Crew List.
You may invite crew at any time after setting up your account as a Skipper or Entry Manager.
5. Create your Race Crew List
Once your boat entry is initiated and crew members have accepted your invitations, you can build your official Race Crew List.
To assign crew:
- Log in and go to Racing > My Race Entries > Manage
- Select the Crew tab at the top of the entry form.
- Your Crew Locker appears on the left—click the (+) icon next to each crew member you want to add.
- In the Race Crew List, use the green buttons to assign PIC and Reserve PIC (RPIC) roles—both are required to complete the Offshore Experience Form.
- Use the dropdown next to each name to assign additional crew roles if needed.
Additional crew can be added at any time before the Crew Deadline.
6. Complete the Offshore Experience Form to request an Invitation to complete race entry
All entrants—regardless of past race experience—must complete the Offshore Experience Form (OEF). This includes details for both the Person-In-Charge (PIC) and Reserve PIC (RPIC), which will be reviewed by the Qualifications Committee.
After review, you’ll receive either:
- An Invitation to Complete Entry, or
- A request for more details about your offshore experience.
Important:
The OEF and full entry fee payment are due no later than April 7, 2026. You must receive an official invitation to be eligible to race.
To complete the OEF:
- Log in and go to Racing > My Race Entries > Manage.
- Select the Offshore Experience tab.
- Complete and submit the form, making sure your PIC and RPIC are correctly assigned as described in Step 5.
7. Accomplish all outstanding race entry and crew tasks by NOR Deadlines
To be eligible to race, all required tasks must be completed by the deadlines outlined in the Notice of Race (NOR).
- Outstanding crew tasks appear in your Overview at the top of the left-hand navigation.
- Outstanding race entry tasks are found under Racing > My Race Entries > Manage.
Be sure to check both regularly and complete all items by the posted deadlines. Additional guidance is provided in the remaining steps of this guide.
8. Arrange for pre-race inspection
All boats must complete a pre-race inspection to verify compliance with safety and equipment standards.
- A Pre-Race Inspection Checklist will be available in early 2026.
- Entrants are responsible for scheduling an inspection with an approved Inspector (list available on the Official Notice Board).
- Boats that have raced previously may be eligible for self-inspection, as outlined in the NOR.
- Inspection plans must be submitted in the Entry System by May 15, 2026, and inspections completed by June 5, 2026.
Before your inspection:
- Prepare your yacht and equipment in advance to ensure an efficient review.
To log your inspection:
- Log in and go to My Boats> Manage.
- Select Checklists from the top menu.
- Click Edit Checklist and complete all required items.
9. Arrange berth in Bermuda
- Dock space in Bermuda is limited and must be reserved in advance.
- Both the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC) and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) require yachts to pre-register for dockage. Skippers are strongly encouraged to sign up as early as possible to secure space.
Details and registration links will be available in Late 2025
10. Attend an approved Safety at Sea Course
To meet Newport Bermuda Race requirements:
- 30% of your crew, including the PIC and RPIC, must hold a valid World Sailing–approved Offshore Personal Survival Course certificate.
- Two crew members must also have hands-on First Aid and CPR training.
- Be sure to confirm that your course meets Newport Bermuda Race standards—not all U.S. Sailing courses do. It must say "World Sailing Approved" on the certificate.
To upload certificates:
- After completing training, log into the Entry System.
- Go to My Account> My Certificates
- Click Manage to upload your certification documents. It must say "World Sailing Approved" on the certificate!
11. Arrange for measurement for your ORR Rating
All yachts must have a valid ORR rating certificate to compete. Captains are responsible for arranging measurement and initiating the rating process.
Key Deadlines:
- Initiate measurement by April 5, 2026.
- Measurement data must be submitted to US Sailing’s Offshore Office by May 29, 2026.
- Sail certificates may be submitted up to June 5, 2026.
To get started:
- Schedule a measurement with a US Sailing–approved measurer at a mutually convenient time and location. To request official measurement, please contact the US Sailing Offshore office at [email protected].
- If no major modifications are planned, measurement may begin as early as Fall 2025.
For questions, contact the US Sailing Offshore Office, which can assist with rating requirements and timelines.
12. Make sure each crew member has applied for and received a World Sailing Classification
Most divisions limit the number of non-Group 1 sailors (i.e., professionals), so all crew must have a valid World Sailing Sailor Categorization.
- Group 1 (amateur) sailors must have an active World Sailing ID and Categorization valid through the end of the race.
- Sailors seeking Group 1 status should apply early through the World Sailing website.
To log a Categorization:
- Each crew member must enter their World Sailing ID # in the Entry System under My Account > My Details.
- The system will automatically retrieve their categorization and expiration date from World Sailing.
Visit the World Sailing website for full instructions to apply.
13. Sign up for Special Entry Trophies
There are many Special Entry Prizes are open to qualified participants, and an additional prize is exclusively for CCA Member Skippers.
To be considered, you must complete the Special Awards Registration Checklist found in the Entry System under Checklists.
Available Special Entry Prizes: See qualification details for each page on the portal.
- Glenn Family Prize (Boats with at least four family members)
- H. Irving Pratt 3-Boat Team Trophy
- Regional Trophy Selection (Trophy for best yacht perforamnce for Canada, Chesapeake, Deep South, Great Lakes, and Pacific)
- City of Newport Trophy (Best foreign-crewed yacht)
- Stephens Brothers Youth Prize (50% of crew under 23)
Be sure to complete your Special Entry checklist before 0900 on June 19, 2026 to be considered.
14. Register at Race Headquarters and watch the virtual Captains' Meeting
All entrants must register in person at Race Headquarters, located at Sail Newport, before 1600 on June 17, 2026.
Key Details:
- On-Site Registration: Open June 15–17, 0900–1600
- Bermuda Immigration Processing: All crew must be pre-cleared by Bermuda Border Control before race start. June 15–18. Hours vary daily—check back here for updates on procedure.
15. Watch the Captain's Meeting and Weather Briefing Online
The Captain’s Meeting will be broadcast virtually on YouTube.com/BermudaRace and the Race Website. It will cover essential topics including:
- Starting procedures
- Emergency medical protocols
- Communications at sea
- Media
- Finish procedures
- Bermuda docking
Note: Questions will not be taken live—please submit them in writing for review by the Race Committee or Jury.
A separate Weather & Gulf Stream Briefing will follow, also streamed live. During this session, PICs and Navigators may submit questions via the chat.
15. Join us at the Start, Friday June 21, 2024
The first gun is scheduled for 1300—we’ll see you on the line!
The start will be live streamed on BermudaRace.com, so be sure to tell your family and friends to tune in and cheer you on! Or if they can come down to Fort Adams to join the Starting Line Party! There will be music, commentary, food trucks, and more!
Have a question?
Talk to a Race Ambassador who has done it before
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