By Robyn Earley,
20HC Commodore
Mark Nannini’s Salacia passing Rose Island Lighthouse
The Twenty Hundred Club (20HC) hosts seven races a year including island circumnavigations, destination races and unique formats that challenge sailors to exercise their navigation and strategic prowess on the water. Twenty Hundred Club was started in 1946 by a group of racers who felt that the true test of sailing was found outside traditional buoy-to-buoy races.
The Bridge Fiasco race, inspired by San Francisco’s Three Bridge Fiasco, starts just south of Prudence Island on Narragansett Bay. Sailors must sail under three bridges: the Jamestown Verrazano Bridge, Claiborne Pell Newport Bridge, and the Mt. Hope Bridge. Boats can choose the bridges in any order and in any direction for a total course length of 27.8 nm.
This race is followed by an around Aquidneck Island Race in partnership with Tiverton Yacht Club on June 8, then two destination races; out to Cuttyhunk on July 13, a Block Island race weekend August 3-5, the unique Prince Henry navigation race August 24th, and finally the Fall Race Around Prudence on September 21. There is one other race sponsored by the club, the Around Aquidneck Challenge. This race is self-timed and can be completed any time between March 1 and December 31. The shortest corrected time is crowned the winner.
The club offers participation for both Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker competitors and has expanded its multihull fleet, staying true to its mission to get more boats on the water and more people sailing. The has also been focused on getting more younger sailors on big boats and racing in longer format point-to-point races. To accomplish this goal, the club started a youth series championship that encourages skippers to invite youth sailors to race with them and scores are calculated considering average age. There is a requirement for a Person in Charge over 18 years of age who is responsible for the boat. This adult supervisor may not helm, trim, or otherwise actively sail the vessel unless an emergency arises if he/she has reached his/her 25th year but may coach. Last year, 20HC Rear Commodore Buster Pike took home the Youth Challenge trophy by hosting a youth crew for the Cuttyhunk Race on his Farr 30 Bully Circus.
The club has increased membership over the past couple of years by expanding upon successful social events following the Cuttyhunk and Block Island races, creating monthly sailor socials year-round. These socials have provided a way for sailors to get together in the off season and stay connected to the latest news in-season.
Last year, the club added an associate membership that provides everyone the chance to join the club and support – no boat required!
While the club continues to expand, it stays connected to its historical roots, taking the time at its annual Spring Awards Social to recognize the winners before the start of a new season. This year’s event took place April 11 at The Sailing Museum and was the backdrop to the presentation of over two dozen perpetual trophies and a boatload of prizes.
As the 20HC continues to grow its membership, we encourage you to join us for one of our races, our socials and online. Learn more at Twentyhundredclub.org or reach out at info@twentyhundredclub.org. ■
