New Start Date: May 28, 2021
Block Island Race
The Block Island Race was first held in 1946 and is a qualifier for the North Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF) and the Gulf Stream Series (IRC). The Block Island Race is also a qualifier for the Caper, Sagola and Windigo trophies awarded by the YRA of Long Island Sound and the “Tuna Trophy” for the best combined IRC scores in the Edlu and Storm Trysail Block Island Race.
May 15, 2020
There will be no Block Island Race in 2020. The 75th edition will now be in 2021. Stay safe!
April 6, 2020
At this time we have decided to postpone the start from May 22nd to Friday, June 19 – the originally scheduled start date for the Newport Bermuda Race.
NOTICE BOARD
VIA YACHT SCORING
The 2020 Block Island Race has been cancelled.
Competitors may: a) request a full refund of their entry fee, b) ask that their entry fee be credited towards next year’s race, or c) donate their entry fee to the Storm Trysail Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) foundation dedicated to safety at sea education and the promotion of youth sailor’s pursuit of safe offshore sailing.
Please e-mail Executive Director Whitney Kneisley at execdirector@stormtrysail.org with your preference.
YB Tracking Sponsor
ABOUT THE EVENT
One of the oldest regional races
The Block Island Race was first held in 1946.
The race also serves as a qualifier for the North Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy (IRC), the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF) and the Gulf Stream Series (IRC). The Block Island Race is also a qualifier for the Caper, Sagola and Windigo trophies awarded by the YRA of Long Island Sound and the “Tuna Trophy” for the best combined IRC scores in the Edlu and Storm Trysail Block Island Race.
2020 Race Chairman
Ray Redniss
EVENT SCHEDULE
Block Island Race is held over Memorial Day Weekend and starts Friday at 1400 with faster boats finishing as early as Saturday morning or as late as Sunday morning.
REGISTRATION
Registration is done online before the event and check in begins on Thursday afternoon.
FIRST SIGNAL
1400 on Friday in the vicinity of Red Bell "32" (The Cows) southerly of Stamford Harbor.
THE BLOCK ISLAND COURSE
Boats will sail from the Start; leave Block Island to starboard, to the Finish, leaving Red Bell “32” (The
Cows) and Red Nun “1” to starboard. Course distance is 186 NM.
THE PLUM ISLAND COURSE
Boats will sail from the Start; leave the Red & White Whistle “PI” (Plum Island) to starboard, and to the Finish as described above. Course distance is 125 NM.
AWARDS
Prizes will be awarded at a reception at 1700 on Sunday at Stamford Yacht Club.
ELIGIBILITY
Open to mono-hull boats of no less than 29 feet LOA (some exceptions, see NOR) with PHRF 81 to 174 or IRC rating 0.930 & faster. ORC also welcome.
MULTIHULLS WELCOME
Boats may be multihull sailing vessels with a minimum length of 26’ LOA, not including bowsprit, and must have a 2020 NEMA Rating Certificate.
SAFETY
For all classes, at least 75% of those aboard the boat shall have attended a US Sailing Safety at Sea Seminar within five years prior to the start of the race.