BLOCK ISLAND RACE WEEK TIMES


June 19, 2023


30th Race Week Day 2 - Regatta Craft Mixers Race Day


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

Regatta Craft Mixers Round the Island Race is planned for tomorrow, Wednesday June 21. This iconic race will start for all Race Circles at 11am.

Another beautiful day of racing off Block Island.

Photo: Steve Cloutier

Best Place on Earth

By Chris Crawford

"Best place on earth," quipped four Navy sailors almost in unison, returning from a first-place finish on ZEPHYER in the Blue fleet race in "beautiful, stunning conditions."  

 

Young captain Rick Irving noted that the boat was just two weeks from having been out of the water on boat stands. "We had to clean bird nests out of the boom to get her ready, but we made it, and all the stress getting it up here was worthwhile."


"What a great reward this was for all we put into it," added Renee Bonner as she beamed from the cockpit. 

 

A second Navy boat POSEIDON did not fare quite as well. Nick Gibbons smiled and summarized the day as "about an 8, we can do better" as the two boats were tied together at the slip with not a of bantering between them. Competitors indeed.

 

 Through-out the fleet of 177 racing boats the praise for the Storm Trysail Club organization was resolute. "Impeccable, very exciting, extraordinary, not a good race, a great day for racing," were but a few of the effusive comments made from racers from along the docks. It was another perfect day for 1420 sailors on the Sound with everyone raving about the management of the race courses.

 

BLUE YONDER's Don Dwyer who raced on the navigator course called the day "extraordinary. The race is so well laid out, it is genuinely competitive and tactical and that makes for exciting sailing." We flew five different sails and can't wait to get back at it tomorrow."

 

TIO LOCO skippered by Henry Brauer thought conditions and winds were better today sailing on the McMichaels White circle. "Coastal racing is so much fun and today was very competitive. We clocked winds at 16 knots which made it fun. Whoever is designing these courses is doing a great job."

 

The GMT Composites Performance Cruising Green Fleet takes on one distance race per day and the boats could be seen reaching along the shoreline after their 11am start. Even a shark made an appearance on the Race Course today! #FinsUp The 58 boats have a choice between a pursuit start where given a staggered starting time based on their rating and the other is a Rule 26 start when all boats start together and are handicapped after the finish. 

 

Sailing his new Beneteau SE 27, HAWKSBILLDavid Wilson has brought together a crew of young sailors and some naval officers stationed in Newport, Rhode Island to learn the sport and the boat together. 

"It's a learning experience for everyone on the water," he said after racing. "But no matter the results, we are having a great time enjoying our time on and off the water." 

 

When told that Wednesday might be the Round The Island race, Trimmer Kevin Cosello of GROWTH SPURT a J/109 sailing for the National Championship, said "We'll be ready. "I don't know how you beat these days we're having here, the conditions, the weather, the food. It's been incredible." Meanwhile, back on TIO LOCO,  discussions were underway on what additional sails might be needed for the eventual Regatta Craft Mixers Round the Island race, no matter the day. The Race Committee has since announced the intention to race around the island tomorrow. 

 

"Out here," said Brandford with the look of contentment spread across the faces of grandkids, son's, daughters and others in the cockpit, "we get to forget about work, Block Island affords us a great getaway. It's simply so much fun and so well run."


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Results Presented by Helly Hansen

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.

Wednesday, June 21

Risk Strategies / Gowrie Group Race Day


8:30 am

McMichael Yacht Yards & Brokers Virtual Weather Briefing

Presented by Chelsea Freas, SeaTactics. Tune into our YouTube channel or Facebook page

9:00 am

Morning Announcements with Race Director Dick Neville

Tune your Race Circle VHF Channel

11:00 am

Regatta Craft Mixers Round the Island Race

The iconic race is planned for Wednesday, this distance race will send teams around Block Island.

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Daily Awards, Tent Party, and RC Boat Races

Buttons required to access Tent and Race Village for food, bars, music, and awards. Drink tickets available for additional purchase.

New this year, RC Boat races off the Champlin's Dinghy dock. Boats available to try or bring your own!

Block Island Race Week Through the Years

In this 3-part series, we take a deep dive into past Race Weeks as we head into our 30th edition.

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Block Island Race Week Through the Years – The First 10 Race Weeks
Part 1 looks at the first 10 editions of Block Island Race Week from 1965 through 1983. 
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Block Island Race Week Through the Years – The Second 10 Race Weeks
Part 2 looks at the 10 editions of Block Island Race Week from 1985 through 2003. 
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Block Island Race Week Through the Years – The Third 10 Race Weeks
Part 3 looks at the 10 editions of Block Island Race Week from 2005 through 2023. 

Daily Weather Briefings

Presented by McMichael Yacht Yards and Brokers with Chelsea Freas detailed the forecast each morning. This is emailed by 8:30am each morning to all competitors. Add your email below if you want to also be added.

See them all here.

More Resources from Local Organizations

The Committee for the Great Salt Pond Boater's Directory

Dedicated to keeping the waters in the Great Salt Pond pristine, it’s shorelines scenic, and always open to boating, recreation and aquaculture for all, this group has assembled some boater friendly links for download.

Champlin's Marina and Resort Block Island Directory

From "B" is for Babysitter to "W" is for Walking & Hiking Trails, this is a great place to find things to do for the whole family while on Block.



Block Island Tourism Council's What To Do Directory

This comprehensive lists has all of the businesses on the island organized by topic with addresses.