By Barby McGowan
The fourth annual Rhody Regatta, hosted by the International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC) on Saturday, May 30, will help kick off the 2026 sailing season on Narragansett Bay.
Designed to combine spirited competition with meaningful community impact, the event this year benefits Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, which provides nutritious meals and essential support services to homebound seniors and individuals in need throughout the region.
“The Rhody Regatta has quickly established itself as a favorite early-season test,” said Mick Harvey, who co-chairs the event with IYAC co-owner Pat Kennedy. “It’s the perfect way to tune up boats and crews after the offseason while supporting a cause that makes a real difference in our community.”
The Rhody Regatta features a single 18-mile course circumnavigating Jamestown (also known as Conanicut Island), offering a dynamic mix of open-water legs and tactical shoreline sailing. The start and finish area will be set near Fort Adams, placing the fleet squarely in the heart of Newport’s storied sailing grounds.
Eligibility and format
The Rhody Regatta is open to all Cruising/Racing Yachts, with or without a 2026 PHRF of Narragansett Bay handicap. The fleet will be divided into handicap and one-design classes according to rating and other factors at the discretion of IYAC Race Management.
More about IYAC
The International Yacht and Athletic Club serves as Newport’s favorite sailors’ bar and is an official US SAILING-affiliated club with registered members. The IYAC Race Committee runs several area regattas for everything from sport boats to Maxi yachts, contributing significantly to the region’s vibrant racing calendar.
Registration and information
The NOR and registration links on yachtscoring.com will be posted shortly. For more information, visit iyacnewport.com or email [email protected] or [email protected].
Like it or not, the cold weather has descended on the northeast. And while this means cozy afternoons watching football games for some, there is a hearty population who choose a bolder path.
Frostbite sailing is alive and well in Newport, RI. Every Sunday through April (holidays excepted), you can watch Laser Fleet 413 leaving the docks from Sail Newport at Fort Adams to jockey for position at the starting line. First race starts at 1 pm. Conditions can be sporty and tactics must be sharp, but the sailors are united in their passion for sailing and braving the elements.
From our very own Ted Hood, with close to 40 years of winter sailing under his belt in Narraganset Bay, “…It’s great camaraderie, great competition here among the local sailors. It keeps your sailing mind kind of fresh over the winter, so when spring comes, you’re a little less rusty. The quality of sailing and the fact that you can get out and sail once a week all year long is what makes Newport great.”
Seeking a new adventure (and if you’re lucky, some vitamin D)? Layer up, pack a hot drink, and come check out the local winter action!
