Storm Trysail Club posted today the Notice of Race (NoR) and opened the Registration to accept entries for the 186 nautical mile race that starts on 27 May off Stamford, Connecticut in the US.
“In 2020, the race was canceled due to the pandemic and in 2021, ‘N over A’ was hoisted to abandon racing the morning of the start due to a combination of extreme weather conditions that would have made racing unsafe for competitors. So we are hoping ‘the third time’s a charm’ in 2022 to complete the long awaited 75th Block Island Race,” said John Troy, Race Chair.
“There is also a new 132nm PHRF course that is entirely in Long Island Sound. This is a great way for owners and crews to participate if they don’t have the desire or enough experience to do the full course.”
The 2022 Race is expected to have a large participating fleet, as many crews use the overnight race as a warm up for the Newport-Bermuda Race, which currently has over 200 boats signed up. Race fans will be able to track the teams, with live locations and rankings, via YB Tracker as they sail the race.
The fleet will be divided into the Block Island Course (186nm) for ORC, PHRF and Multihull divisions of 29 feet or more; the Plum Island Course (132nm) for PHRF boats of 26 feet or more and rated 81 to 174. Double-Handed, Multihull, and Plus-1 divisions are also welcome.
STC Commodore, Ed Cesare, said: “We know this event is a catalyst for the racing season, especially in a Bermuda year, so we look forward to some great racing followed by a celebration at Stamford Yacht Club.”
Race organisers encourage all to read the NoR carefully, as significant changes have been made to improve safety standards for boats (NoR 1.4) and crews (NoR 15).
There is a requirement for a certain percentage of crew to have attended an International Offshore Safety at Sea Course, which is good for five years and there are still a few spaces available in Storm Trysail’s May 15th Safety at Sea Seminar at SUNY Maritime.
Block Island Race is a qualifier for the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy, the Double Handed Ocean Racing Trophy, and the New England Lighthouse Series (PHRF).
The event is also a qualifier for the De Coursey Fales, Sagola and Windigo Trophies, the du Moulin Cup for Double Handed Racing and the Youth Challenge Cup awarded by the YRA- LIS, as well as the STC Rugg Family Youth Offshore Challenge, and the Tuna Trophy for the best ORC combined scores in the EDLU (40%) and the Block Island Race (60%).
Keep up with the latest news at: http://www.stormtrysail.org/blockislandrace
