Calling All Sailors

Looking for a major nautical thrill? Then toss your hat in the ring for this year's Newport Bermuda Race, a biannual regatta that departs from Newport, Rhode Island and ends in St. David's, Bermuda every other June (this year it shoves off on the 15th). Founded in 1906 as the first ocean race for amateur sailors, the regatta has since become one of the world's premier sailing events—a 635-mile open ocean contest, most of it out of sight of land. Although the entry process for the 48th annual Newport Bermuda Race has only been open for three weeks over 100 boats have submitted entries, including past champions Sinn Fein—Peter Rebovich's Cal 40, winner of the coveted St. David's Lighthouse Trophy in 2006 and 2008—and Llwyd Ecclestone's Frers 68 Kodiak (Editor's note: This is a big deal within sailing circles. Get excited people). It's a much-anticpated week among sailors, but even more so for us islanders—after all, the much-anticpated race is yet another excuse to drink copious amounts of Dark 'n Stormy's while watching the ships pull in harborside. If you're interested in entering visit the Newport Bermuda Race official website. Or if you just want to party in June, well, visit Bermuda.