--- title: "Newport Bermuda Race 2028: course, start and record" description: "Next start from Newport: June 2028. America's great classic, from Newport to Bermuda across the Gulf Stream. From Newport to St. David's Head (Bermuda)." url: "https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/newport-bermuda" lang: "en" --- [Offshore Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en) # Newport Bermuda Race 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. - **Start**: Newport - **Finish**: St. David's Head (Bermuda) - **Theoretical distance**: 635 nm - **Frequency**: Every 2 years (even years) - **Classes**: ORR, IRC - **Next start**: June 2028 (to be confirmed) - **Record**: 1d 9h 0m 9s · Jason Carroll, Argo (MOD70), 2022 - **Official website**: [bermudarace.com](https://bermudarace.com/) ## In numbers - **1906** first race, three boats on the start line - **635** miles from Newport to Bermuda, across the Gulf Stream - **1d 9h** for the race record, the MOD70 trimaran Argo in 2022 - **1d 10h** for the monohull record, Comanche in 2016 - **165** starters in 2012 and in 2014 - **3** wins for Carina and Rives Potts, in 2010, 2012 and 2024 ## Roll of honour | 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) | ## History 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. ## Records - **Race record**: Argo (MOD70), Jason Carroll, 1d 9h 0m 9s in 2022. - **Monohull record**: Comanche, Ken Read, 1d 10h 42m 53s in 2016. - **Previous monohull record**: Rambler, George David, 1d 15h 39m 18s in 2012. ## At a glance: frequently asked questions ### Newport Bermuda Race: when is the next start? The next start is scheduled for June 2028 in Newport. The date is still to be confirmed by the organiser. ### Newport Bermuda Race: how long is the course? The theoretical course is 635 nautical miles, from Newport to St. David's Head (Bermuda). ### Newport Bermuda Race: what is the record? 1d 9h 0m 9s, set by Jason Carroll on Argo in 2022. ### Newport Bermuda Race: who won the last edition? Thomas Campbell on Nicole, in 2026. ### Newport Bermuda Race: which boats take the start? Classes on the start line: ORR, IRC. ### Newport Bermuda Race: how often is the race held? Every 2 years (even years). ### Why is the Gulf Stream decisive? 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. ### Where is the finish line? 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. ### What are the race divisions? St. David's Lighthouse for amateur crews, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse open to professional helmsmen, Finisterre for cruisers and a double-handed division, among others. ### Who created the race? 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. ## Sources - [bermudarace.com/54th-race-is-one-for-the-history-books/](https://bermudarace.com/54th-race-is-one-for-the-history-books/) - [bermudarace.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NBR-Prize-List-2026-2026-Recipients.pdf](https://bermudarace.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NBR-Prize-List-2026-2026-Recipients.pdf) - [northsails.com/blogs/north-sails-blog/nsvictorylist-newport-bermuda-race-2024](https://www.northsails.com/blogs/north-sails-blog/nsvictorylist-newport-bermuda-race-2024) - [en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport\_Bermuda\_Race](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newport_Bermuda_Race) - [bermudarace.com/history/](https://bermudarace.com/history/) Updated November 11, 2026 - [2028 offshore sailing race calendar](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/calendar/2028) - [ORR offshore races: courses and starts](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/classes/orr) - [IRC offshore races: courses and starts](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/classes/irc) - [Rives Potts: offshore racing wins and records](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/skippers/rives-potts) - [Christopher Sheehan: offshore racing wins and records](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/skippers/christopher-sheehan) - [Peter Rebovich Sr.: offshore racing wins and records](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/skippers/peter-rebovich-sr) - [Jason Carroll: offshore racing wins and records](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/skippers/jason-carroll) ## Races - [Arkéa Ultim Challenge](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/arkea-ultim-challenge) - [Barcelona World Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/barcelona-world-race) - [Clipper Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/clipper-race) - [Global Challenge](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/global-challenge) - [Global Ocean Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/global-ocean-race) - [Global Solo Challenge](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/global-solo-challenge) - [Globe40](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/globe-40) - [Golden Globe Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/golden-globe-race) - [Lorient-Bermudes-Lorient](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/lorient-bermudes-lorient) - [Marblehead to Halifax](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/marblehead-halifax) - [Mini Transat](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/mini-transat) - [New York Vendée](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/new-york-vendee) - [Newport Bermuda Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/newport-bermuda) - [Normandy Channel Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/normandy-channel-race) - [Oryx Quest](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/oryx-quest) - [Rolex China Sea Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/rolex-china-sea-race) - [Rolex Fastnet Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/fastnet) - [Rolex Middle Sea Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/rolex-middle-sea-race) - [Rolex Sydney Hobart](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/sydney-hobart) - [RORC Caribbean 600](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/rorc-caribbean-600) - [RORC Transatlantic Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/rorc-transatlantic) - [Round Britain and Ireland](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/round-britain-ireland) - [Round Ireland Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/round-ireland) - [Route de la Découverte](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/route-de-la-decouverte) - [Route du Rhum](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/route-du-rhum) - [Solidaire du Chocolat](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/solidaire-du-chocolat) - [Solitaire du Figaro](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/solitaire-du-figaro) - [The Ocean Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/the-ocean-race) - [The Race](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/the-race) - [The Tall Ships Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/tall-ships-races) - [The Transat CIC](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/the-transat) - [Transat B to B](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/transat-b-to-b) - [Transat Café L'Or](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/transat-cafe-lor) - [Transat Paprec](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/transat-paprec) - [Transat Québec-Saint-Malo](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/transat-quebec-saint-malo) - [Transpac](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/transpac) - [Trophée Jules Verne](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/trophee-jules-verne) - [TwoSTAR](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/twostar) - [Velux 5 Oceans](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/velux-5-oceans) - [Vendée Globe](https://www.offshoreraces.app/en/vendee-globe) [Courses au large](https://www.offshoreraces.app/fr/newport-bermuda) · [Offshore Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/de/newport-bermuda) · [Offshore Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/es/newport-bermuda) · [Offshore Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/it/newport-bermuda) · [Offshore Races](https://www.offshoreraces.app/pt/newport-bermuda)