Reposted: Barby MacGowan, Photo: Stephen R. Cloutier
The fourth annual Rhody Regatta, organized by the International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC) to benefit Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, proved that good decisions on shore can lead to great experiences on the water.
Originally scheduled for Saturday, May 30, race organizers made the prudent decision to postpone the event by one day after forecasts called for sustained northeast winds and gusts approaching 50 knots across Narragansett Bay. While the change resulted in several withdrawals, competitors overwhelmingly supported the move, which ultimately produced a safe, enjoyable and tactically challenging race around Conanicut Island.
With an 11 a.m. start in a light 3-5-knot southeasterly breeze, a spirited fleet of 10 boats set off on an 18-nautical-mile clockwise circumnavigation of Conanicut Island. Conditions evolved dramatically throughout the day, finishing in a building 15-knot southwesterly and presenting competitors with a variety of wind shifts, current effects and strategic decisions along the way.
“We probably lost five or six boats to the date change,” said Event Co-Chair Mick Harvey. “But at the end of the day, competitors understood the risks of having the race on Saturday and were grateful for the Race Committee’s decision and effort to still run a good, fun and above all, safe race.”
Taking overall honors for best corrected time was Joe Brito’s J/121 Incognito of Bristol, R.I., which also captured first place in PHRF 2. (Respectively, Doug Newhouse’s Spirit 52 Yonder and Wendy Schmidt’s Botin 45 Azulito, finished second and third overall.)
Brito described a racecourse that demanded constant attention as winds transitioned from the light, shifty southeasterly breeze in Narragansett Bay’s East Passage to a complicated battle between a lingering northerly and an emerging southwesterly sea breeze in the West Passage.
“We pursued the backside of the island very well,” said Brito. “Those who stayed farther east went faster, and we converged with five or six boats at the rounding mark at the north end of the island, but we picked our lane and nailed it. Then the wind began to roar from the southwest at 14 to 15 knots for the beat to the finish.”
Incognito ultimately finished two minutes ahead of its class competitors on corrected time.
Among the race's most dramatic stories was the performance of Moose McClintock and Jeff O’Brien’s JS9000 Slim Shady. Starting first in PHRF 1 and initially enjoying more breeze than later starters, the boat built a commanding lead approaching Beavertail point.
“We were so far ahead of the fleet when we got to Beavertail that nobody else had made it halfway there from Castle Hill,” said McClintock. “But then we sat in a northerly going nowhere against the current. The big boats came storming in with a good southerly. They got to us and then ran out of breeze and ghosted past. Then we all lived on the front edge of the fill all the way to the island’s north end.”
The tactical twists and multiple fleet convergences became defining features of a race that challenged sailors at every turn.
Both Brito and McClintock praised the volunteer Race Committee for making the event possible despite the weather disruption.
“I’d really like to thank the Race Committee for doing this and giving up their personal time to run the alternative race on Sunday,” said Brito. “There’s nothing more important than giving of yourself to help others.”
That spirit of giving remains central to the Rhody Regatta, which combines competitive sailing with fundraising for Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island. Organizers established a goal of raising $10,000, and donations have nearly reached that mark.
Additional fundraising remains open through the Rhody Regatta Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, June 7, from 5-7 p.m. at Brick Pizza Company’s Stone Room at Unity Park in Bristol, R.I. Awards will recognize top performances on the water as well as the event’s leading fundraising team.
To support the fundraising effort, visit: https://bit.ly/Rhody2026fund
(full results follow)
2026 Rhody Regatta – Full Results
Place, Yacht Name, Type, Owner/Skipper, Hometown, Results, Total Points
PHRF 1 (PHRF - 4 Boats)
1. Spirit, J/92S, EC Helme, Newport, R.I., 1 ; 1
2. Slim Shady, JS9000, Moose McClintock / Jeff O'Brien, Portsmouth, R.I., 2 ; 2
3. Relentless, First 36.7, Robert Laska, Warwick, R.I., 3 ; 3
4. Triskele, VX One, Thomas Newman, Middletown, R.I., 5/OCS ; 5
PHRF 2 (PHRF - 3 Boats)
1. Incognito, J/121, Joe Brito, Bristol, R.I., 1 ; 1
2. Yonder, Spirit 52, Doug Newhouse, Newport, R.I., 2 ; 2
3. Rhody Red, Melges IC37, EOS Sail Newport, Newport, R.I., 3 ; 3
PHRF 3 (PHRF - 4 Boats)
1. Azulito, Botin 45, Wendy Schmidt, Newport, R.I., 1 ; 1
2. Settler, GP 42, Thomas Rich, Portsmouth, R.I., 2 ; 2
3. Boudicca - Gill Race Team, R/P 66, Richard Moody, Jamestown, R.I., 3 ; 3
4. Wyspa Tech, Foiling Kiteboard, Casey Brown, Newport, R.I., 5/DNS ; 5