Black Jack 100 claimed line honours in the 2026 Newport Bermuda Race after a rapid passage from Newport to Bermuda that came within an hour of the race record. Skipper Tristan Le Brun's 100-footer crossed the finish line off St David's Lighthouse in the early hours of Sunday morning, completing the 635-nautical-mile course in 1 day, 11 hours, 26 minutes and 46 seconds.
The performance ranks among the fastest in the race's history and fell just short of the record set by Comanche in 2016. “You can never be sad if you executed the race properly, which we did,” Le Brun told The Royal Gazette. “It was extra exciting that this was the first time for the boat and the crew to do this race. It’s always nice to discover a new area of the world, a new weather system, a new dynamic and new people.”
As tradition dictates, Cruising Club of America Commodore Chace Anderson and Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore Hal Kemp welcomed the crew dockside in Hamilton with champagne and Dark ’N Stormies.
Several other competitors also reached Bermuda on Sunday, including Space Monkey, Denali 4, OC 86 and Il Mostro.
Velocity was expected to arrive later in the day, while more yachts were forecast to round St David's Head during the early hours of Monday morning. The fleet continues to work its way across the Gulf Stream after a race marked by changing conditions and tactical challenges.
On-board reports from the fleet highlighted the mix of strategy, endurance and teamwork required to reach Bermuda, with crews ranging from seasoned offshore racers to first-time competitors. The 2026 race has again delivered close competition and memorable passages across one of offshore sailing's most famous ocean routes. Corrected-time honours remain to be decided as the remainder of the fleet continues its race to Bermuda.
