Photo: Chris Burville

The Newport Bermuda Race is legendary in the world of offshore sailing and importantly the race is also a source of national pride for the people of Bermuda, for whom maritime heritage is a key component of the culture. The 2026 race marks the 120th anniversary of the Bermuda Race, as well as the centennial of the partnership between the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club to organize it. It is especially fitting then, that this year will feature the return of a key symbol of Bermuda’s sailing prowess: the Spirit of Bermuda.

Spirit of Bermuda is the country’s national tall ship and is a purpose-built sail training vessel based on civilian Bermudian-type schooners built between 1810 and 1840. Built in 2006, her hull shape is adapted from Royal Navy Shamrock-class patrol boats and carries the famed “Bermuda” rig, which originated on the coastal Bermuda sloops of the 18th and 19th centuries.

The boat is operated by the Bermuda Sloop Foundation, a charity founded in 1998 with a mission to give all young people in Bermuda the opportunity to participate in a sail training program. “In the past 20 years, about 8500 students have gone through our program,” said Executive Director John-Paul Doughty. “On an island of 60,000 that’s a significant portion of the population.”

Spirit of Bermuda was designed and engineered in Newport by Langan Design Partners, then led by legendary naval architect Bill Langan. In 2006, she was launched from Rockport Marine in Rockport, Maine and made her maiden voyage from the New England coast to Bermuda. Since then, the boat and foundation have been invaluable resources for youth development on the island. Spirit of Bermuda has travelled thousands of miles raising funds for programming, racing in iconic offshore regattas, and sharing the goodwill of the people of Bermuda.

The financial impacts of the pandemic presented major challenges to the foundation, and Doughty added that Spirit of Bermuda’s return to the race in 2026 is a major milestone. “We got her back to ocean racing standards while rebuilding the organization.”

While the crew aboard Spirit of Bermuda for her return to the Bermuda Race this year is not composed of youth trainees, they nevertheless well represent the country’s passion for maritime feats and the race itself. Among the professional crew is Skipper Mario Swainson and First Officer Tristan DeSilva, both Bermudian sailors and alumni of the foundation’s program. Also on board will be Bermuda’s current governor, His Excellency Andrew Murdoch CMG.

Rick Thomas, who is chartering Spirit of Bermuda for the race, could not be more proud to be representing the destination country in 2026’s contest. “As a native Bermudian who lives in a house facing the Great Sound, I often see the Spirit of Bermuda sailing past my house instructing school children on sailing,” Thomas said. “The boat is very appropriately named. Bermuda takes great pride in her and her mission. She is as much part of our seascape in my mind as the Longtails, our national bird.”

While this year’s race will be Thomas’ first time sailing in the Race, he has crewed on a return leg and has always been present on the docks at RYBC to welcome friends who have completed the race. “I wanted to be part of this experience, so am ecstatic that I have been given the opportunity to sail as crew on the Spirit of Bermuda, the boat I would want to sail in above all others. I am really looking forward to docking in Bermuda at the end of the race with my family cheering us in.”

“We think it's important to represent Bermuda in the race and we’ve received tremendous support from BROC and RBYC,” Doughty said. “Outside of the relaunch of our educational programming, returning to the Bermuda Race is our top priority.” Doughty himself has a deep family connection to the race. His grandfather sailed in 14 Bermuda Races aboard his yacht Asteroid, bringing family members along and securing wins in multiple classes.

Spirit of Bermuda will mark her 20th anniversary with a return to the Thrash to the Onion Patch, With Bermuda’s maritime history as both a physical and philosophical driving force, Spirit of Bermuda is certain to make Bermudians and all sailing fans proud in the 2026 race.