With over 100 awards—including iconic honors like the St. David’s Lighthouse Trophy, the Carleton Mitchell Finisterre Trophy, and the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Trophy—the Newport Bermuda Race recognizes only the most exceptional performances. Every prize is earned through true offshore seamanship, discipline, and determination. There are no easy wins in the Bermuda Race—only hard-fought achievements by skilled bluewater sailors.
FOR ALL FINISHERS
Each entrant finishing the Race receives a brass plaque suitable for display aboard their vessel which reads “For Successfully Completing the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race.” These are included with the packet you will receive when checking in at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
FOR YOUTH FINISHERS
THE STEPHENS BROTHERS SOCIETY is for sailors aged 14-23 and will receive a commemorative pin. Skippers please collect the pins with your plaque at the RBYC Duty Desk.
INVITATION ONLY
The Prizegiving will be a special, invitation-only event typically held at the Governor's House (unless unavailable due renovations like in 2024). Invitations will be distributed in Bermuda once results are finalized and will be required for entry. Due to limited space, we are unable to accommodate additional guests—but rest assured, every effort is being made to ensure a smooth and timely distribution process. We kindly ask that you wait for official communications rather than reaching out early, so we can get the information to everyone as quickly as possible. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments!
5 SPECIAL ENTRY PRIZES
Each year, some sailors miss out on incredible prizes simply because they forgot or were unaware to officially register for Special Trophies. Don’t let that be you! Indicating interest during Race Entry isn’t enough—eligibility requires submitting a completed Special Entry Form. You can apply directly through the Entry Portal today. There are prizes for youth teams, family teams, multi-boat teams, and more. Learn more about them by scrolling down.
TOP AWARDS
There are Five Special Entry competitions for boats racing to Bermuda (and one additional for CCA Members Skippers only). To qualify, a Special Entry Form must be completed via the Entry Portal (this is new for 2026!) Submissions must be made by 0900 on the scheduled starting day. (June 19 2025)
For these and certain other prizes marked “X-DV” will be based on cross-divisional comparison of decimal percentage standing of corrected time ranking within a vessel’s own division. Thus, prize winners will be determined by cross-divisional comparison of a vessel’s relative performance within its respective division. The vessel with a higher relative final standing within its own division will then place higher cross-divisionally. This allows for greater competition for the same prize among vessels in different divisions. It also allows boats from different divisions to combine in 3-boat teams for the Pratt competition.
The Cullen Family won in 2024 onboard WaveWalker.
Will Glenn was a “Pied Piper” of sailing, introducing countless families—especially young people—to the sport over more than 50 years. This prize honors his enthusiasm and love for sharing sailing with others.
The Glenn Family Prize is awarded to the top-performing family boat, as determined by the Race’s Cross-Divisional (X-DV) system. Open to entries in the St. David’s Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill, and Finisterre Divisions.
To qualify, a boat must sail with at least four legal family members (by blood, marriage, or adoption), including one afterguard member (skipper, navigator, or watch captain).
This trophy honors H. Irving Pratt, a passionate advocate for fair offshore yacht racing and a driving force behind handicap system development. He served as CCA Technical Committee Chair, Commodore of the NYYC, and sponsor of the Pratt Ocean Racing Project at MIT.
Teams of three yachts from the St. David’s Lighthouse, Gibbs Hill, Finisterre, and Double-Handed Divisions may enter. Boats may be from the same or different divisions. Each yacht can only participate on one team—please confirm with teammates before submitting your entry to avoid disqualification.
Each winning team member receives a custom “keeper” trophy—an engraved plaque featuring their yacht’s name and unique hull lines from US Sailing archives.
Carina (St. David's Winner), Summer Storm (Gibbs Hill Winner), and In Theory represented Storm Trysail Club and won in 2024.
QUINGHUI - Oakcliff Farr40 Gray represented China and won for the Pacific in 2024.
The Newport Bermuda Race awards Regional Prizes to celebrate the commitment of boats traveling long distances to compete. One prize will be awarded to the top-performing yacht from each of the five designated regions, based on the Race’s Cross-Divisional (“X-DV”) system. Open to boats in the Gibbs Hill, St. David’s, Double-Handed, and Finisterre Divisions.
Each yacht must select a single region that best represents the skipper, boat, and crew. This may be based on: The skipper’s primary residence, The home port or club of the vessel, or Other rationale—if neither of the above apply, you may explain your reasoning for BROC review.
Regions
Canada – All Provinces
Chesapeake – VA, MD, DE, DC, WV; parts of NJ/PA
Deep South – GA, SC, NC, MO, KS, FL, TX, LA, MS, AR, OK, KY, AL, TN
Great Lakes – MN, WI, MI, IL, IN, NB, IA, SD, ND; parts of OH/PA; western NY
Pacific – AK, WA, OR, CA, HI, NM, AZ, UT, NV, ID, MT, WY, CO, and foreign Pacific locales (e.g.: China)
This trophy honors the exceptional commitment of Skippers, Crews, and Vessels who travel great distances to compete—and underscores the unique international character of the Newport Bermuda Race, the only major offshore race with a start and finish in different countries.
Open to yachts with a clearly identifiable foreign identity—defined by skipper, crew, and homeport. U.S., Bermuda, and “port of convenience” registrations (e.g., Cayman Islands) are not eligible.
Skippers must self-declare their vessel’s foreign status and provide a brief rationale. Should the yacht be in contention for the trophy, additional verification may be requested.
Blur represented Sweden and won The City of Newport Trophy in 2024.
2016 Winners of the Inaugural Stephens Brothers Youth Prize, the crew of High Noon
The Newport Bermuda Race has long inspired young sailors, with many of today’s leaders first experiencing offshore racing as teenagers. Rod and Olin Stephens, who won major races with Dorade before age 23, exemplify that spirit of early adventure and achievement.
To support the next generation, the Bermuda Race Organizing Committee created the Stephens Brothers Youth Division, open to boats in the St. David’s Lighthouse and Finisterre Divisions. Entries are scored Cross-Divisionally (X-DV), and each qualifying Youth sailor receives a commemorative insignia pin recognizing their accomplishment.
To qualify, yachts must meet the following:
Teams may be composed of any combination of CCA-skippered vessels sailing SDL, GHL, FI, DH. EVERY CCA-skippered boat from these divisions should be a member of such a team. Cross-divional (“X-DV”) scoring applies. Each such vessel may be a member of only one CCA 2-boat team for this award. (This is similar to but NOT to be confused with the Pratt 3-boat team competition which is a separate competition and open to vessels of any club affiliation.)