Photo: Cate Brown

Larchmont, NY – The Notice of Race for the 30th edition of the biennial Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville has just been issued on YachtScoring. The event will be held June 19-23, 2023.

Rear Commodore and STC-BIRW 2023 Event Chair Andrew Weiss reports, “We are thrilled Margaritaville is back for the third time, continuing to bring fun and spirit to this event. Committed partnerships like these help an event plan well in advance. After a successful return to Champlin's Marina and Resort in 2021 amidst the pandemic, the management there has already been working with us to establish an enhanced race village."

“As we’ve been spending more time on the water with Margaritaville at Sea, it’s only natural we bring back our vibrant vacation state of mind to Block Island Race Week,” said Tamara-Baldanza-Dekker, Chief Marketing Officer at Margaritaville. “We’re excited to create another fun and memorable event with our incredible partners who share our love for making memories by the water.” 

157 teams participated in 2021, the most since the 50th Anniversary year (2015), and the Storm Trysail Club is planning for even more crews to enjoy the 30th running of the "only true Race Week in America." Many of the partners from 2021 have also planned to renew their support for the event.

The biggest growth Block Island Race Week has seen in recent years is in the Navigator's course division known as the Performance Cruising Class. When the Club introduced the ORC rating rule in 2019, the high-performance teams enjoyed highly competitive racing as well.

"We believe one reason for the recent success has been the emphasis placed on the fun factor and on spending time in the beautiful island environment," says STC Commodore Ed Cesare. "While we are delighted with this growth, we also expect that high-level competition will continue to be a feature of BIRW."

To foster the expansion of each of these fleets, Race Organizers are implementing a limit on Group 3 (Professional) sailors in certain classes. To be fair to all racers, all sailors will need to obtain a free World Sailing Classification. Performance Cruising and Double-handed boats will be limited to one Group 3 sailor onboard. ORC, PHRF, and Multihulls are limited to 20% of the number of crew rounded up, which is not to exceed 25%. Then a new ORC Open Class will have no limits on Group 3 sailors. 

"We have spent a significant amount of time and effort fashioning some parameters that will support corinthian participation at BIRW, accommodate owners who enjoy having professionals on board to learn from them, and continue to allow space for grand prix programs," says Weiss. "We hope everyone finds the compromise amenable."

All boats over 22 feet in length overall are invited to join the regatta which will be held June 19-23, 2023. Boats may compete in ORC, PHRF with handicaps faster than 177, Performance Cruising (Spinnaker and Non-Spinnaker), Double-handed, Plus One, Classics, NEMA or One-Design classes. 

Also new this year, admittance to social events (ie “The Tent”) for all registered crew is included in the registration fees. Drink tickets will be available for purchase all week. The Tent at Champlin's Resort and Marina will feature daily awards, appetizers, and live music every night of racing. 

"This tradition of fun coupled with great racing has afforded Storm Trysail Club fabulous memories, stories, and camaraderie since 1965 in a beautiful and special place year after year," concludes Cesare. "We can't wait to see everyone for the 30th in the Great Salt Pond."