BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK TIMES
Preview of the 29th Race Week Edition
June 17, 2021 - Storm Trysail Club - Block Island, Rhode Island USA
Welcome to The 1BI.
All the news from Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville.
Welcome to Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville and the 1BI, our digital daily newsletter. Each day, we will bring you the latest news, photos, videos, and highlights from the racecourses and the docks. We look forward to sharing your stories with fellow competitors and fans watching the racing from afar. Feel free to send story ideas to [email protected].
Cover Photo: Steve Cloutier/ Storm Trysail Club
In this Issue
Andrew Weiss' Ker 40+ CHRISTOPHER DRAGON XXI and James Coffman's Swan 45 GEMENI II will be racing this week.
Photo: Steve Cloutier/ Storm Trysail Club
From the Commodore
Edward R. Cesare
Commodore Storm Trysail Club
Thank you for coming...
Welcome sailors, families, and sponsors.
As 2020 came to an end and 2021 began, planning for BIRW XXIX, led by Vice Commodore and Event Chair Ray Redniss, was … interesting to say the least! As recently as late March, it was our expectation that the continuing pandemic would preclude any shoreside component to the event at all.
However, due to the tireless work of our volunteers and the amazing support of Margaritaville and all our sponsors, now we all can enjoy the “full Block Island Race Week experience.” Storm Trysail also wants to thank new partner Champlin’s Marina and Resort for hosting us this year. What is old is new again as we return to the original venue for Race Week. Champlin’s support has been truly outstanding, and we thank Mike Hartman and his team for pulling off this feat with just a few weeks' notice.
When we were preparing for 2019 Race Week, we made a conscious decision to steer the event back its Corinthian routes with an emphasis on family crews, varied course configurations, and, simply, more fun. Clearly this approach seems to be working as we welcome more than 160 boats to this edition with the fastest growing fleet being the Performance Cruising Division.
I also want to congratulate our nearly 175 newly inducted North Light Society members, if it wasn’t for the loyalty and dedication of so many sailors and volunteers over decades, this event would not be possible every odd year.
So whether this is your first or 28th Race Week: Welcome, have fun, good luck on the racecourse, and see you “in the tent”.
Ed
Important Reminders for Sailors
- ALL competitors MUST sign the COVID Attestation. If you wish to attend the post-racing socials, you will also be required to upload proof of vaccination (or a positive test for COVID antibodies) stormtrysail.org/covidform. Once submitted, an entry button can be purchased stormtrysail.org/button.
- Registration is from 1200-1700 on Sunday where you will receive your skipper bags - which will include pre-purchased buttons and you can also pre-purchase drink tickets for the week from Champlin's. This year, with 160 boats, new protocols to verify, and a smaller volunteer group, we ask for patience during check in. If the line is long, go enjoy a mudslide from Champlin's Dockside bar and come back!
- Parking will be limited at Champlin's due to the size of the venue. Parking permits are required and they can be obtained at the front desk of Champlin's Marina and Resort for the week located at the top of the hill (not the Race HQ registration desk.) We ask that you attempt to use other modes of transportation as much as possible. There is a beach path and a new sidewalk from the Boat Basin and Aldo's is offering a discount on bikes for the week. If you do come by car, please be patient as it will take time to get all the cars with permits parked. We will have community service officers directing traffic, please follow their directions.
- Please note, skippers are ultimately responsible for their crew both on and off the water. Underage drinking or theft of any Race or Sponsor Property will not be tolerated and could result in a DSQ for the boat. Security will be onsite all week to help us maintain safety.
- Lastly, if you want to win some prizes (such as a 3-night stay at the brand new Margaritaville Resort Times Square) AND support local Block Island organizations, then purchase raffle tickets online (they will not be available offline). Winners will be announced on Thursday after Awards: stormtrysail.org/raffle
RACE WEEK
SCHEDULE
Note: Round-The-Island Race Presented by Regatta Craft Mixers will be announced based on weather for one of the Race Days.
Sunday June 20
1200 - 1700
Race HQ @ Champlin's Marina and Resort
Registration
Monday June 21
0900
0930
1100
1700 - 1900
Regatta Craft Mixers Round the Island Race Day
Tuesday June 22
0900
0930
1100
1700 - 1900
North Sails Race Day
Wednesday June 23
0900
0930
1100
1700 - 1900
Race Day
Thursday June 24
0900
0900
1100
1700 - 1900
Mount Gay Race Day
Friday June 25
0900
0930
1100
1700 - 1900
Margaritaville Race Day
Welcome to
Congratulations to Margaritaville on their newest property:
Margaritaville Resort Times Square
If you’re looking for a touch of the tropics in the middle of the concrete jungle, Margaritaville New York is the destination for you. While looking out over Times Square, you’ll instantly be transported to a vacation state of mind with one bite of a Cheeseburger in Paradise, an order of Volcano Nachos or any of our signature island-inspired dishes. This two-story tropical oasis is waiting for you after a great week of sailing at Block Island Race Week to serve you our signature margaritas along with a wide selection of cool concoctions. Margaritaville Times Square is NOW OPEN and coming soon to Boston – Faneuil Hall!
After the race, sail down to the island of Manhattan and visit Margaritaville Resort Times Square, opening July 1, 2021. A tropical oasis in the heart of the city, the 32-story resort features 234 casual-luxe guestrooms, five signature restaurants and bars, an outdoor heated pool, daily live entertainment and more.
Tears happen, but they shouldn’t leave you without a key piece of race inventory.
The North Sails Certified Service team will be available during Block Island Race Week for all your sail care needs to help keep you on the water.
Connect with the team, headed by Justin Backus, inside the Block Island Maritime Institute, across from race HQ or call 203-912-6534.
More than a Rum
Join Mount Gay Rum in supporting in their mission to clean the world’s oceans
Mount Gay has always been deeply connected to the ocean. From its island roots in Barbados to the tropical climate that influences each bottle of rum and our longstanding connection to sailing.
Mount Gay recently partnered with 4ocean to support its mission to end the ocean plastic crisis. This June, throughout World Ocean Month, Mount Gay will commit $5 for every bottle and $1 for every cocktail sold, up to $100,000, to 4ocean’s Pound+ Program.
Mount Gay is committed to the use of sustainable and transparent practices to meet our vision for environmental stewardship and carbon neutrality.
To learn more, visit http://www.mountgayrum.com/4ocean/.
A quality sailing kit is essential to keep you protected from the varying elements at Block Island Race Week, so Storm Trysail Club is happy to have Helly Hansen signed on as the Official Clothing Supplier for Block Island Race Week presented by Margaritaville.
They will be onsite during the event with any of your technical sailing gear needs at the Team1Newport regatta store.“It is great to be a part of an event like Storm Trysail Club Block Island Race Week with a rich tradition and high caliber of competition. We look forward to meeting the sailors on land and watching them compete,” says Jenny Daudlin, Watersports Marketing Manager for Helly Hansen.
“Weather on Block Island in June can vary widely,” says Race Chair Ray Redniss. “From sunny and warm, to cold, foggy, and raw within hours, the need to have an array of layers and good gear is imperative. We are thrilled Helly Hansen has joined us to keep us comfortable and protected doing what we love to do.”
Meet Kara and Bryan Schapperle, co-skippers on Cathexis, who are living aboard this week and sailing their X382 in the Performance Cruising Division. Dave Reed from Sailing World interviewed them as part of the Sailing World Roundtable this past spring. Watch the full video at sailingworld.com.
Make yourself one of these after racing:
Block Island Blitz
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz. Mount Gay Rum
- ½ oz. crème de cassis
- ½ oz. lime juice
- 3 oz. Regatta Classic Bermuda Stone Ginger Beer
Gowrie Group: Risk Never Sleeps, Neither Do We.
The specialists at Gowrie Group stand ready to advise you on your insurance needs for BIRW, your 2021 boating adventures, and your nautical lifestyle. Gowrie’s team of insurance experts navigate you to the right coverage for not only your boats, but also your homes, coastal properties, cars, horses, classic yachts, and more. Gowrie also offers marine crew medical coverage (called Sailors Health Insurance) and travel/trip insurance solutions. Gowrie Group is a division of Risk Strategies. Contact a Gowrie insurance specialist at [email protected] or visit us at gowrie.com.
New England Ropes is proud to be the Official Rope Sponsor for BIRW 2021. If you are in need of rigging or ropes during BIRW, please visit our trailer in the race village.
Litchfield Distillery crafts award-winning spirits distilled from 100% CT-Grown grains. They are bringing their bourbon to the post-racing socials this year too! See for yourself why their “Spirit of Hard Work” has earned them “CT Distillery of the Year” for the past 4 years by the NY International Spirits Competition.
Cyclops wireless load sensors (smarttune & smartlink) provide live rig loads to app or onboard displays and downloadable data for analysis. Learn, refine and repeat your fastest settings—get a competitive edge on the competition! Visit the Cyclops stand in the race village!
McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers sends our best regards to all who are competing in Block Island Race Week. Our customers and staff have been racing in BIRW since its inception, and, with McMichael customers competing in every division this year, we wish everyone a fun and safe week of racing. #mcmyacht
Safe Harbor New England Boatworks is here to support your speedster. Whether it's upgrades to prepare for race day, post regatta repairs to get you back in action, or custom fabrication of that “just right” component, we offer solutions based on our over 30 years’ experience building and servicing quality yachts. Contact us for information at [email protected] or 401-683-4000.
For over 25 years Newport Vineyards has been New England's premier winery destination. Situated on over 100 acres of preserved farmland, and just outside downtown Newport, you can wine, dine and shop in their Marketplace at this agritourism destination.
FROM LOCAL BLOCK ISLAND BUSINESSES
Block Island Deals
Bikes, Mopeds, and Cars
Looking to rent a bike, moped, or car on Block Island?Our friends at Aldo's are offering a deal for Race Week participants! Based our of the Boat Basin, Aldo's is offering Race Week participants a deal on week-long rentals to get you around the island. Call (401) 466-5018 to book and reserve now!
Coffee and Breakfast
Sailors head to Aldo's Bakery and mention you are with Race Week to "get up and go" special: an egg and meat sandwich for 5 dollars and any breads or pastry they need for the crew!
Pizza Parties
Head to Aldo's Italian Seafood Restaurant for dine-in or take out! They can accommodate large parties and have a catering menu on our website aldosbi.com.
Lobster Bakes
The Beachhead has space for large groups and bakes to go! beachheadbi.com
