The fourth annual Safe Harbor Race Weekend is set to make waves in Newport from Aug. 9-11, 2024, with 65 teams already registered for the three-day sailing extravaganza.
The event, which has quickly become a summer regatta staple for Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound, will host up to 10 classes competing in ORC, IC37 One-Design, PHRF, and PHRF Performance Cruising.
While fierce competition is expected on the water, participants are equally excited about the social opportunities ashore.
“Safe Harbor Race Weekend always has great competition, amazing race management, and even better parties,” said Steve Liebel, skipper of New Wave from Tampa, Fla. “We look forward to it every year.”
Liebel, a headliner in the competitive IC37 class, which expects over 10 entries, sees the event as crucial preparation for the upcoming IC37 North Americans in Newport this September.
The IC37 class promises a showdown of champions, including winners from recent prestigious regattas such as the New York Yacht Club’s Annual Regatta and Race Week.
In the ORC class, defending champion Drew Freides from Los Angeles will sail his Cape 31 Pacific Yankee in ORC 4. Freides, who recently topped his class in several high-profile events, anticipates tough competition.
“It was tough last year (to win); it’ll be tough again this year – none of these guys are pushovers,” Freides said.
The PHRF classes will see the return of several champions from last year, including Joe Brito from Bristol, R.I., sailing his J/121 Incognito in PHRF 1, and Kevin Dakan from Warwick, R.I., with his J/110 Memory in PHRF 2.
The PHRF Performance Cruising classes will feature defending champions across all three divisions. These classes will sail navigation courses around government marks, differing from the windward/leeward courses of other classes.
James Phyfe, skipper of the J/44 Digger competing in PHRF Performance Cruising 2, appreciates this format. “One longer race per day is more enjoyable for us, and it is certainly better suited to a 35-year-old cruiser/racer,” he said.
Phyfe sails with a local crew from the Warwick/East Greenwich area and often includes younger sailors. “My niece Brooke puts together a good group of juniors for us every race, so I am sure we will have several 20-year-olds on board as well,” he added.
The event kicks off with a Captains’ Briefing on Aug. 8 at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard. Racing begins at noon on Friday with the Around Prudence Island Race for all classes.
Event Director Tim Moll said, “This is a fun and popular way to start Safe Harbor Race Weekend prior to classes splitting into their windward/leeward and navigation course divisions on Saturday and Sunday.”
Post-race activities include a Coastal New England Dinner on Friday, presented by BMW at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks. Saturday features the “Talk of The Town” Crew Party, a mariners feast with live music, presented by Mount Gay Rum at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard.
The event concludes on Sunday with the final Awards Ceremony, also at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard.
With its blend of competitive sailing and lively social events, the Safe Harbor Race Weekend continues to attract top talent and sailing enthusiasts. As the regatta enters its fourth year, it solidifies its position as a highlight of the summer sailing calendar in New England.
For more information on Safe Harbor Race Weekend and daily releases/full results, visit https://bit.ly/SafeHarborRW. Sailing enthusiasts can also follow the event on social media @safeharbormarinas.
