The 54th Newport Bermuda Race will set sail Friday, June 19, on a 636-mile blue-water passage to Bermuda, marking the 100th anniversary of the partnership between the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
Known as the “Thrash to the Onion Patch,” the biennial race is one of the world’s oldest ocean races and among its most challenging offshore tests, demanding skill, strategy and resilience as sailors navigate the Gulf Stream and thousands of miles of open Atlantic.
“The 2026 Thrash is one of the most significant in the race’s history, marking a century of partnership between the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club,” said Race Chair Andrew Kallfelz. “It is a testament to the enduring bond between our two sailing communities. It is a privilege to organize an event that continues to attract such a competitive and dedicated fleet, and we look forward to a memorable week of competition and celebration.”
The festivities begin in Newport with the Starting Line Festival at Fort Adams State Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. The free, public event will feature a high-tech “Starting Line Live Show,” powered by Ørsted, with commentary on a big screen, along with a Kids Zone, local food trucks, a beer garden serving Whalers Beer and Goslings Rum, and live music from the Riki Rocksteady All Stars. The action culminates at 1 p.m. with cannon fire from the Newport Artillery Company, signaling the countdown for the first class of yachts to begin their journey.
In Bermuda, sailors will be welcomed at the finish line off St. David’s Lighthouse, with celebrations at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club throughout the week. The Bermuda Tourism Authority, which is promoting the island’s role in the race, said the events will include Harbour Nights & BBQ on de Dock on June 24, Gosling’s “Bash on the Onion Patch” at Victoria Park in Hamilton on June 26 and a prize-giving ceremony at Government House on June 27.
“For many, just completing this race from Newport to Bermuda is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement,” said Michael DeCouto, chief sales and marketing officer for the Bermuda Tourism Authority. “When you see the fleet emerging from the Atlantic to greet the St. David’s Lighthouse, it is a moment of profound transformation. Bermuda is ready to welcome these sailors with our legendary hospitality, turning the finish line into a multi-day celebration of grit, camaraderie, and island culture.”
For live tracking, race updates and detailed schedules for both the Newport and Bermuda events, visit bermudarace.com.
