Ida Lewis Distance Race Preview

ByStuart Johnstone

(Newport, RI)-  The 2024 Ida Lewis Distance Race has attracted nearly 50 entrants for the revered 24-hour race on August 16 in Newport, RI. From south of Pell Bridge in Narragansett Bay’s East Passage, the fleet heads off to some of the most storied cruising grounds in the Northeast, including Rhode Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound, Long Island Sound, and the waters south of western Long Island before returning to a finish off host Ida Lewis Yacht Club.

“It’s a fun distance race that has been enjoyed by veterans and newcomers alike for 18 editions,” said Event Chair Anselm Richards. “Fine-tuning over the last few years has all but guaranteed that every boat will finish in 24 hours, so that makes the time on the water just right: not too long, not too short.”

Richards added that the Ida Lewis Race Course Development Team has plotted a choice of several courses between 100 and 235 nautical miles; before the start, it will determine which class will sail what course, based on weather and handicap ranges for each class.

Teams sail either in ORC (classes 1, 2, and 3) or PHRF (classes Aloha, Coronet, Bagheera, and Double handed) for top-three and overall trophies as well as special trophies for Collegiate and Youth Challenges. The event also is a qualifier for the Northern Ocean Racing Trophy and Double-Handed Ocean Racing Trophy.

Returning this year is perennial favorite Spirit, a J/92 skippered by EC Helme (Newport, RI). “Last year’s race was pretty interesting for us,” said Helme, who finished second in Bagheera class and will sail in that class again. “Being the smallest and lightest boat combined with those steady, strong conditions made it a real test for Spirit and crew, but it made crossing the finish line that much sweeter.

“Being pushed a little physically and mentally is one of the reasons why we keep coming back. The Bay races generally don’t offer that, and the Ida Lewis Distance Race is just the right distance to make it an honest challenge while being ‘reasonable’ on a 30-foot boat.”  For more Ida Lewis Distance Race sailing information