The 2026 Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta brought classic yachts back to Rhode Island waters at the weekend, with racing between Newport and Bristol producing a mix of light-air patience, historic boats and close competition.
The opening Newport-to-Bristol feeder race produced one of the weekend’s standout performances as Geoff Davis won on corrected time aboard Aquila, the S Class yacht he has owned for 60 years. Davis sailed single-handed, setting, gybing and dropping his spinnaker himself on the way to victory. Fellow Herreshoff-built yachts Surprise and Gamecock completed a clean sweep of the podium.
Saturday’s racing was delayed for several hours as the morning northerly faded. Principal Race Officer Diana Emmanuelli eventually got the fleet away at 4.20pm when a southerly filled into the East Passage.
Gamecock won the Vintage Division, while Mariner took Classic honours and Whirlwind II topped the Modern Classic fleet.
Conditions improved for Sunday’s racing, with 10-15 knots of southwesterly breeze for the return towards Newport.
The 12 Metre Courageous proved best suited to the upwind conditions, winning the Bristol-to-Newport race ahead of Weatherly, with Jax, Yonder and Dorade completing a top five featuring one boat from each of the event’s five divisions.
The Herreshoff Regatta forms part of the 2026 Classic Yacht Owners Association Series, which now has two events remaining.
- Newport Classic Yacht Regatta presented by IYRS, September 5-6
- Indian Harbour Classic Yacht Regatta, September 18-20
