RACING

Some of the International 12mR fleet docked at Newport’s Fort Adams during the 2019 12 Metre World Championship.

Freedom (US-30) and Liberty (US-40) head to the racecourse under tow at the 1983 America’s Cup Defender Trials at Newport, RI.
~ photo by Brian Melzian

Narragansett Bay and its surrounding waters provide a spectacular array of race courses for the iconic 12 Metre Fleet. New York Yacht Club defended the America’s Cup off the shores of Newport with spectators watching many historic finishes from the slopes of Castle Hill. In 1958 the 12 Metre, originally an Olympic class yacht, was selected by NYYC (through an historic legal change to the Cup’s Deed of Gift) to become the boat of the America’s Cup, which was competed in the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound until 1983. The International 12mR Class continues to race in these waters and abroad, including a very active Vintage 12mR fleet in the Baltic. Unlike the AC’s 2-boat match racing format, today’s 12mRs race together as a fleet with divisions by age. For a sailors and spectators alike the Newport’s 12mR fleet presents spectacular display of formula yachts of varying age, design and provenance– each state of the art and representing the finest efforts of its country when first launched. Driving over the Newport bridge on any summer day you can see many iconic 12 Metres racing or out for day sails with charter guests.

Ida Lewis Yacht Club members received US Sailing’s St. Petersburg Award for best run regatta of the year as voted by participants for the 2019 12mR World Championship. ~ photo by Matthew Cohen

Twenty-two 12 Metres converged at Newport for the 2019 12mR World Championship with boats and teams from around the world. Spectacular ocean racing ensued off the coast of Newport and Rhode Island Sound. With most of the fleet docked together at Ft. Adams crew and spectators alike were able to experience the history and magnificence of the International 12 Metre fleet en masse. The event was so successful, that organizing authority, Ida Lewis Yacht Club and Americas 12mR Fleet, Captain Peter Gerard were recognized with US Sailing’s St. Petersburg Trophy, chosen based on participant input, for the best run regatta of the year!