Newport Regatta

Newport, RI, USA, July 14, 2024

by Carol Cronin 07/15/2024

Newport Regatta Image — Photo courtesy of Stephen Cloutier

Newport, RI, USA, July 14, 2024.

2024 Newport Regatta / Snipe District 1 Championship

21 boats sailed the Snipe District 1 Championship July 13-14, the second largest class at the 40th annual Newport Regatta. Five races were shoehorned into two light air afternoons, after postponements ashore that enabled catching up with old friends and making a few new ones.

Arthur Blodgett and Darby Capellin posted all top-two results for a convincing win, nine points ahead of Augie Diaz/Christine de Silva. A three-way tie for third place was won by Alec Stewart and Julia Fuller, leaving Carol Cronin/Bonnie Shope and Jim Bowers/Julia Rabin to agonize about that one point that would’ve made all the difference.

The Snipes sailed northwest of the Newport Bridge, and luckily the current was fair for the lengthy sails both to and from the race area. Saturday’s rain and clouds kept the powerboats at home, but they all came out on Sunday—and left behind irregular random wakes that made gear shifting and power modes a high priority. With better wind on the left, but less foul current on the right (at least for the first race each day), choosing sides was crucial to rounding in the top group—and the correct answer was definitely not the same every race. Other obstacles included the 35-boat Thistle fleet, an occasional car carrier coming into the Bay, and the large wind holes in the lee of the Bridge.

Narragansett Bay Fleet 17 played host for the regatta, though Sail Newport did all the organizing and logistics—and Mount Gay made the Saturday night party extra special. Thanks to the travelers who made the trek from Florida, Annapolis, and Boston, and congratulations to everyone, especially the debut sailors who were trying out some Serious Sailing, Serious Fun for the first time!

Final results after 5 races: