When 40 boats set sail from Fort Adams in Narragansett Bay on Friday, August 15, for the 20th anniversary running of the Ida Lewis Distance Race, the real test won’t come in daylight. It’s what happens overnight that will separate the fleet as tacticians navigate in darkness during the 24-hour endurance event across some of New England’s most storied sailing grounds.
The race presents a particular challenge for youth and collegiate sailors, who will compete not just for class victories but for two coveted trophies: the Arent H. Kits van Heyningen Trophy for the Youth Challenge and the William Tuthill Collegiate Trophy.
“On the teams with 40% or more youth sailors aboard, and those with 40% or more collegiate sailors aboard, there is more at stake than class victories,” said Event Chair Anselm Richards.
The course length varies dramatically based on weather conditions, ranging from 129 to 230 nautical miles, with the Race Committee selecting routes designed to deliver a full 24-hour challenge across ORC, PHRF, and PHRF Double-Handed divisions.
Returning Champions Face New Competition
Bill Kneller of Newport returns with his J/109 Vento Solare, winner of the Youth Challenge in 2022. His mixed-age crew exemplifies the race’s unique format, pairing sailors under 20 with veteran ocean racers. Kneller’s team will compete in the Coronet class, bringing hard-won experience from last year’s challenging conditions.
During the 2024 race, Vento Solare encountered a spinnaker wrap around the headstay just after midnight while navigating near a wind farm construction exclusion zone. Rather than risk sending crew up the mast in darkness, Kneller chose to slow down and enter the exclusion zone to safely clear the sail.
“This provided a learning experience for the youth that safety is paramount,” Kneller explained. “It requires the crews to plan for everything. This includes watch rotation, meal planning, preparation for varying weather conditions, night sailing, and safe navigation.”
James Phyfe’s J/44 Digger, sailing from Cranston, R.I., dominated the Youth Challenge in both 2023 and 2024 and returns to defend its title in the Coronet class. However, the team faces serious competition from Community Boating Center of New Bedford’s Baltic 50 Crazy Horse, competing in ORC 1.
“We are very excited to be coming back,” said CBC Executive Director Andy Herlihy. “The Ida Lewis Distance Race has had a big circle on our calendars for the past few years now. We love it, and our youth sailors always have a blast!”
The Crazy Horse crew arrives with momentum, having just won their class in the Marblehead to Halifax Race and finished third at Edgartown Race Weekend’s ‘Round-the-Island Race.
Collegiate Competition Heats Up
The Collegiate Challenge features returning skipper Brad Gibbs of Providence aboard the JPK 10.30 Rumble in ORC 2, while the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy enters the Mills 41 Hunter in ORC 1.
Starting at 11 a.m. Friday from Fort Adams, the fleet is expected to return primarily between mid-morning and early afternoon Saturday for the champagne finish celebration inside Newport Harbor. Regardless of finishing position, each team will be greeted on the water with celebratory Prosecco—or sparkling cider for youth teams.
The race continues to draw support from major sponsors including Hogan Associates/Christie’s International Real Estate, Palm Beach Motor Yachts, and Van Liew Trust Company as Gold Sponsors.
For more information, visit http://www.ilyc.org/distancerace or contact Race Chair Anselm Richards at distanceracechair@ilyc.org.
