Safe Harbor Race Weekend starts Friday
by Barby MacGowan 5 Aug 01:44 NZST
August 8-10, 2025
Ever growing in popularity and caliber, the three-day Safe Harbor Race Weekend will host an impressive fleet of 73 boats on August 8 when it begins its fifth annual edition in Newport, R.I.
Notable this year, in addition to the event's hallmark shoreside parties at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard and Safe Harbor New England Boatworks, are robust contingents in all ORC and PHRF (racing and performance cruising) classes as well as a 19-boat IC37 one-design class and a six-boat superyacht class.
"We are excited for our largest-ever showing of IC37s here," said Steve Liebel (Tampa, Fla.), who in July won the 26-boat IC37 National Championships and at this event will defend his 2024 IC37 class victory. Liebel added that the IC37s are "always stacked with amazing talent," and this year's Safe Harbor competition will prove no exception due to several teams, many of them international, that are using the event as practice for September's New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup. "It is always tight racing; this year more than half of the entrants have a legitimate shot at winning."
Sailing their own circle on Narragansett Bay, the IC37s will follow a conventional fleet racing format and are scheduled to complete multiple windward/leeward races on each of the regatta's three days. On Friday, ORC and PHRF racing and performance cruising classes will participate (weather permitting) in an Around Prudence Island Race, also on Narragansett Bay. Then ORC and PHRF racing classes will sail their own windward/leeward fleet races on Saturday and Sunday, while PHRF cruising classes will sail navigation courses using government buoys, inflatable marks, and islands in Narragansett Bay as marks of the course. For all three days, superyacht class racing will take place on Rhode Island Sound along the Newport coastline (one race per day).
"We're excited to have six 'biggies' racing," said Tony Rey (Newport, R.I.), tactician aboard the largest boat in the fleet, the 197' ketch Maximus. "This has become one of the premier events in Newport now, and it's great to have Safe Harbor behind this initiative to race all kinds of boats, including superyachts, in one regatta."
Rey explained the superyachts last sailed here in 2023 and that, collectively, they are a sight to see. "For perspective, Maximus cannot fit under the Newport Bridge because of its mast height (213'). It has a mix of professional and amateur sailors as well as guests onboard for a total crew count of around 50. It's an exercise in people management and safety to get performance out of a boat like this."
With the smallest superyacht being the 98' ketch Delta House, the fleet will rely on the ORC superyacht rule to handicap the different sizes and types of boats for fair racing. The iconic 140' ketch Rebecca, launched in 1999, is most like Maximus, as she is similarly a Frers design. "Maximus, however, was launched in 2023, so there are almost 25 years between us," said Rey, who counts her as tough to beat along with the "very well sailed" Whisper, a 116' sloop that will have the highly successful Bella Mente Racing team aboard.
The 76' sloop Falcon, which won its superyacht class here (as Zemphira) in 2023, has opted to sail this year in the performance cruising division and stands as the largest boat in the fleet outside of the superyachts. She'll certainly be challenged in her Nav Class A by the Marten 49 Pugilist, a winner in its performance cruising class here last year.
"We enjoy sailing courses that test the skipper and crew in a different way than the windward/leewards, which have their own challenges," said Pugilist's captain Darris Witham (Newport, R.I.). "We enjoy the strategy as well as navigational aspects. It also doesn't hurt that Narragansett Bay is a naturally beautiful amphitheater."
Witham named the Kerr 55 Irie as a close competitor, having come "down to the wire" with her in several regattas here over the summer. Also, the Frers 74 Foggy has "experienced sailing legends on board" and the smaller CTM 41 After Midnight "is always right there."
"From 41 to 75 feet, every boat has conditions it shines in," added Witham. "More important, everybody will be hitting their stride at this event after a competitive season. Teams are well rehearsed, sailing their boats optimally, and will be pushing on every leg. Who wins is who sails to the most potential, and even that might not be enough...you need a little good fortune."
Another defending champion, the J/44 Digger, will headline in PHRF Nav Class B. "We always look forward to this event because of the great racing and incredible shoreside events," said Digger's skipper James Phyfe (Cranston, R.I.). "We have mostly the same crew as last year, and for us the more casual navigation courses are the most fun. The class is gaining a lot of popularity in this regatta." (At press time, there is also a Nav Class C for a total of 18 boats in the division.)
Having turned in a winning performance here last year in PHRF racing, the 40' Lyman Morse Mischief will be one to watch in PHRF Racing Class E. (Currently, there is also a PHRF Racing Class D for a total of 13 boats in two classes.)
"We race every weekend and sail regularly against boats signed up in our class, including the hard-to-beat J/105 Blitz and J92S Spirit," said Mischief's Skipper David Schwartz (Bristol, R.I.). "This regatta is one of the high points of the season for us, because we know Safe Harbor is good at putting together both a good race management team and a social scene. All three days are fantastic; everyone has fun on the racecourse, and we all eat and drink our share ashore. We especially look forward to Friday night's lobster bake!"
Finally, the high-octane ORC division will feature 17 boats in two classes, and returning 2024 champion Fox, a TP52, is sure to repeat a top-rate performance in ORC Class A against such heavy hitters as the GP 42 Settler, the R/P 42 Rikki, and the Botin 43 Jax.
"I'm expecting some fierce competition," said Fox's owner Victor Wild (San Diego, Calif.). "If we win, it will be because we had to work very hard and we're lucky. We'll see how it turns out."
Said Event Director Peter Craig: "Safe Harbor Race Weekend has become one of the events of the summer, proving that sailors appreciate a regatta that mixes excellent sailing with exceptional shoreside elements. Everyone is connected, and the event is inclusive of participation at so many different levels from performance ORC and PHRF racing to navigation, one-design, and superyacht racing. It adds to the excitement and energy; it's going to be a ton of fun."
Racing/Social Schedule
As its hundreds of participants agree, Safe Harbor Race Weekend is as much about proving oneself on the racecourse as it is indulging in the lively entertainment provided ashore after racing.
With a Captains' Briefing scheduled for Thursday (August 7) at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, on-water action starts Friday at noon and will be followed by a Coastal New England Dinner Presented by Citizens on The Point at Safe Harbor New England Boatworks. Saturday and Sunday's racing, also with scheduled noon starts, will be followed, respectively, with the "Talk of the Town" Crew Party (with delicious food stations and live music) presented by Mount Gay Rum at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard in the heart of downtown Newport, and the final awards ceremony, also at Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard.
"This is one of our favorite events," said New Wave's Steve Liebel. "The racing is always fantastic, but maybe even more important, the parties are second to none. This will always be a 'must attend' regatta on our schedule."
For more information on Safe Harbor Race Weekend and daily releases/full results (when available), visit bit.ly/SafeHarborRW.