For many years the Herreshoff Classic Regatta held in Bristol, Rhode Island and the Newport Classic Yacht Regatta hosted by the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) were two separate events held one week apart. Now, these two iconic events have been combined into a continuous four-day celebration of classic yachts, both power and sail, that will be known as the Panerai Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Rendezvous.
Chuck Townsend, CYOA Chairman of the Board and Honorary Chair of this new event, was inspired to consolidate the events by the Classic Yacht Events in Maine in late July and Early August in Castine, Camden, and Eggemoggin. " I thought why not do the same here in Narragansett Bay? Those are some of the best, maybe the best, organized events on the East Coast for Classic Yachting, so let's take that model to Rhode Island to create a multi-venue event here," said Townsend.
Race organizers of Herreshoff and IRYS, and presenting sponsor, Panerai, agreed and are looking forward to an event that builds upon each other's successes while consolidating logistics and resources laying the ground work for a more organized event.
Part one of the Rendezvous, the Panerai Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta, will kick off on Thursday evening at the Herreshoff Marine Museum with racing on upper Narragansett Bay on Friday, August 25th. Part two of the Rendezvous, the Panerai Newport Classic Yacht Regatta, will kick off Saturday with a race from Bristol to Newport followed by racing on lower Narragansett Bay on Sunday.
Additionally, there will be a collection of classic motor yachts rallying from Bristol to Newport on Saturday, congregating at the Alofsin Piers at Sail Newport, Fort Adams State Park after racing.
“We’re bringing together people who have a passion for motor and sail,” event co-chair Jamie Hilton says. “In the future, this event has the potential here in Newport – the sailing capital of the U.S. – to rival some of the classic yacht events in Europe.”
Saturday Night there will also be a cocktail party with a cash bar open to the public at IYRS in Newport. The local band, Honky Tonk Knights, will entertain owners, sailors, and yachting enthusiasts in Restoration Hall.
Events prior to the Narragansett Bay Classic Yacht Rendezvous, were The Nantucket Regatta (Nantucket, MA), The Nantucket Opera House Cup Regatta (Nantucket, MA), and The Corinthian Classic Yacht Regatta (Marblehead, MA). Winners of the Panerai series are awarded at the ceremony on Sunday evening, August 27.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Thursday, August 24
1700-1900: Early check-in for PHCYR and PNCYR at Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
Friday, August 25
0800-1000: Check-in for PHCYR and PNCYR at Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
1700-1830: Check-in at Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
Saturday, August 26
0830-0930: Check-in at Herreshoff Marine Museum, Bristol
0930: Mandatory Skippers’ Meeting
1155: First Warning Signal – Bristol to Newport Rendezvous
1800: Cocktail Party at IYRS, Newport
Sunday, August 27
1030: Classic Yacht Parade through Newport Harbor
1155: First Warning Signal
1800: Cocktails
1930: Awards Dinner at IYRS, Newport
For more information visit:
Registration and Notice of Race:
Herreshoff: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4218
Newport: https://yachtscoring.com/emenu.cfm?eID=4264
Event Website and Info:
Herreshoff: http://www.herreshoff.org/events/regatta.html
Newport: http://iyrs.edu/newport-classic-yacht-regatta/
Facebook Event Page :
Newport: https://www.facebook.com/events/454740388228870/
Cocktail Party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1371744342907937/
