NEWPORT — Thirty-six sailing teams are preparing for the 20th edition of the Ida Lewis Distance Race, a grueling overnight challenge that will test sailors’ endurance and seamanship skills Aug. 14-15.
Registration remains open through Sunday for the event that stands apart from traditional round-the-buoy regattas by sending competitors on coastal courses ranging from 129 to 230 nautical miles.
“The race is structured to be a 24-hour overnight race,” said Event Chair Anselm Richards. The fleet will start off Jamestown on Friday at 11 a.m., with most boats expected to finish between mid-morning and early afternoon Saturday.
Sailors will face favorable conditions for the Friday start, with the National Weather Service forecasting mostly sunny skies, highs near 80 degrees and north winds shifting to easterly at 7 to 10 mph. Marine conditions are expected to be calm with seas of 1 foot or less.
The diverse fleet includes 10 ORC boats, seven double-handed entries and 19 PHRF vessels, with strong youth and collegiate participation competing for challenge trophies in each division.
Among the notable entries is Newport sailor Tommy Henshaw aboard his Hobie 33 Mod Captain Sluggo, acquired in late 2024. The boat has been training on Tuesday night races to help the college-aged crew “get in sync.”
“Each week we sail the boat we get faster, crew work gets sharper, and we have more fun,” Henshaw said. “Captain Sluggo has proven to be quick and competitive, and we’re excited to see how she performs.”
The double-handed division features neuroscientist Phil Haydon of Boston aboard the Sunfast 3300 Fearless, sailing under the “Sail For Epilepsy” banner to raise awareness about the disease.
“I have lived with epilepsy for 52 years after suffering a head injury and do everything I can to spread the word,” said Haydon, who will face competition from three Class 40s including defending champion Privateer.
Other defending champions include the R/P 66 Boudicca in PHRF Aloha class and the S&S 60 Running Tide in PHRF Coronet class. Running Tide is one of the most successful racing yachts of the 1970s, brought back to the United States and refitted by the original owner’s son Beau Van Metre.
The ORC 1 entry Hunter, a Mills 41, features a team of midshipmen from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York.
“As a federal service academy, we regularly compete against colleges and other service academies but also have the privilege of competing against the general public,” said Offshore Sailing Coach Avi Lessman. “The majority of the team has not competed in sailing before arriving at the school.”
The race committee will determine which course each class sails based on weather conditions and handicap ranges. The event concludes with prizes Saturday night at Ida Lewis Yacht Club, where each finishing team receives a bottle of Prosecco at the finish line.
Gold sponsors include Hogan Associates/Christie’s International Real Estate, Palm Beach Motor Yachts and Van Liew Trust Company.
For more information, visit ilyc.org/distancerace or contact Race Chair Anselm Richards at distanceracechair@ilyc.org.