America's great classic, from Newport to Bermuda across the Gulf Stream.
Sailed since 1906 and organised by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, the race covers 635 miles between Newport, Rhode Island, and St. David's Head in Bermuda. Crossing the Gulf Stream, with its meanders and eddies, is the heart of the strategy. The overall corrected-time winner takes the St. David's Lighthouse Trophy: Thomas Campbell's Cal 40 Nicole won it in 2026, after Rives Potts's Carina in 2024. The maxi Black Jack 100 took line honours in 2026.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Thomas Campbell, Nicole (Cal 40) |
| 2024 | Rives Potts, Carina (McCurdy & Rhodes 40) |
| 2022 | Sally & Stan Honey, Illusion (Cal 40) |
| 2018 | James Grundy, Grundoon (Columbia 50) |
| 2016 | Christopher Sheehan, Warrior Won (Xp 44) |
| 2014 | Michael Cone, Actaea (Hinckley Bermuda 40) |
| 2012 | Rives Potts, Carina (McCurdy & Rhodes 40) |
| 2010 | Rives Potts, Carina (McCurdy & Rhodes 40) |
| 2008 | Peter Rebovich Sr., Sinn Fein (Cal 40) |
| 2006 | Peter Rebovich Sr., Sinn Fein (Cal 40) |
| 2004 | Dominick Porco, Alliance (Swan 45) |
Thomas Fleming Day, editor of The Rudder magazine, launched the race in 1906 to show that amateurs could cross the ocean in small yachts. Three boats, all under 40 feet, left New York Bay, and the 38-foot yawl Tamerlane won. Revived in 1923 from New London, the race has since been run by the Cruising Club of America and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Today it starts from Newport, Rhode Island, every two years.
The Gulf Stream decides the strategy: its meanders and eddies can carry a boat or hold it back, and the sea there soon turns rough, hence the nickname "the Thrash to the Onion Patch". The finish is off St. David's Head lighthouse, before the run up the channel to Hamilton and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.
The fleet is split into divisions: St. David's Lighthouse for amateur helmsmen, whose trophy goes to the race winner, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse open to professionals, Finisterre for cruisers, and a double-handed division. 40-foot cruiser-racers often win: the Cal 40s Sinn Fein in 2006 and 2008, Illusion in 2022 and Nicole in 2026.
The next start is scheduled for June 2028 in Newport. The date is still to be confirmed by the organiser.
The theoretical course is 635 nautical miles, from Newport to St. David's Head (Bermuda).
1d 9h 0m 9s, set by Jason Carroll on Argo in 2022.
Thomas Campbell on Nicole, in 2026.
Classes on the start line: ORR, IRC.
Every 2 years (even years).
This warm current crosses the route and forms meanders and eddies. Well placed, a boat gains miles; against the current it loses them, often in a rough sea.
Off St. David's Head lighthouse, at the eastern end of Bermuda. Boats then sail up the channel to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club in Hamilton.
St. David's Lighthouse for amateur crews, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse open to professional helmsmen, Finisterre for cruisers and a double-handed division, among others.
Thomas Fleming Day, editor of The Rudder magazine, in 1906. Three boats left New York Bay; the yawl Tamerlane won.
Indicative course: the actual route depends on the weather. Figures taken from the sources below.
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