Our friends at the Storm Trysail Club are pleased to be hosting (at last!) the 75th running of the Block Island Race. The 186nm spring classic starts Friday, May 27 off Stamford, Connecticut.

“In 2020, the race was canceled due to the pandemic and in 2021, ‘N over A’ was hoisted to abandon racing the morning of the start due to a combination of extreme weather conditions that would have made racing unsafe for competitors,” said John Troy, Race Chair. “So we are hoping ‘the third time’s a charm’ in 2022 to complete the long-awaited 75th Block Island Race. There is also a new 132nm PHRF Course that is entirely in Long Island Sound. This is a great way for owners and crews to participate if they don’t have the desire or enough experience to do the full course.”

At press time, 39 boats were registered for the 75th Block Island Race. © Rick Bannerot/OntheFlyPhoto.net

 

The 2022 Race is expected to have a large participating fleet as many crews use the overnight race as a warm-up for the Newport-Bermuda Race which currently has over 200 yachts signed up. Race fans will be able to track the teams via YB Tracker as they embark on the race with live locations and rankings.

The fleet will be divided into the Block Island Course (186 NM) for ORC boats over 27 feet LOA and The Plum Island Course (132 NM) for boats wishing to race PHRF and rated 81 to 174.  Doublehanded, Multihulls, and Plus-1 divisions are also welcome. See the Notice of Race on YachtScoring.com for details on eligibility and safety requirements.

STC Commodore Ed Cesare added, “We know this event is a catalyst for the racing season, especially in a Bermuda year, so we look forward to some great racing followed by a celebration at Stamford Yacht Club.”

Paul Jennings, owner and skipper of the Cal 40 Towhee, is using the Block Island Race as a tune up for the Newport Bermuda Race. © Rick Bannerot/OntheFlyPhoto.net

 

Race organizers encourage all entrants and prospective entrants to read the NoR carefully, as significant changes have been made to improve safety standards for boats (NoR 1.4) and crews (NoR 15). There is a requirement for a certain percentage of crew to hold a World Sailing Offshore Certificate, which is good for five years. At press time there were still a few spaces available in Storm Trysail’s Safety at Sea Seminar at SUNY Maritime on May 15.

The Block Island Race is a qualifier for the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy, the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy, and the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF). The Block Island Race is also a qualifier for the De Coursey Fales, Sagola and Windigo Trophies, the du Moulin Cup for Double Handed Racing and the Youth Challenge Cup awarded by the YRALIS, as well as the STC Rugg Family Youth Offshore Challenge, and the “Tuna Trophy” for the best ORC combined scores in the Edlu (40%) and the Block Island Race (60%).

The 75th Block Island Race is sponsored by Regatta Craft Mixers, McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers, and The Real McCoy Spirits. If you have questions, contact John Troy at blockislandrace@stormtrysail.org or log onto stormtrysail.org/blockislandrace. ■