Strong J/Fleet Ready for Safe Harbor Race Weekend in Newport

(Newport, RI)- With seventy-six boats attending, the 2026 edition of the Safe Harbor Race Weekend marks the first time the event has become the most popular offshore keelboat regatta during the busy Newport sailing season. It’s not hard to understand why, since it’s a very entertaining, fun event. Sailing on Narragansett Bay is always fun and challenging, with currents and shifty winds.

The Safe Harbor regatta has developed an enthusiastic following amongst sailors with their world-class “apres sailing” events onshore at their world-class yacht harbor facility. With great food, a huge tent, and great bands on Friday and Saturday evenings, the parties are well attended by the eccentric mix of “yachties” off the magnificent superyachts and buoy-racing enthusiasts; the exceptional shoreside social events hosted by Safe Harbor in Newport and Portsmouth make for lasting memories.

ORC B Division
Sailing in this fleet will be Ed Kaye’s J/111 PRAVDA 2 from Eastern Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA, and Steve Losik’s J/121 HABIRU from United Yacht Club in Great Neck, NY.

PHRF C Division
This will be a tough division, since all four teams have been winners of regattas in recent years. Two J/122s are racing: Dan Heun’s MOXIEE from Franklin, MA and Robin Team’s J/122 TEAMWORK from Lexington, NC. Joining them are Joe & Chris Brito’s J/121 INCOGNITO from Bristol, RI and Tom Sutton’s J/111 LEADING EDGE from Houston, TX.

PHRF D Division
This large fleet features seven J/Teams, the majority of the division! Three J/105s are racing (Ned Joyce & Andy Reservitz’s DARK’N’STORMY, Fred Darlington’s ALIBI, and Chris Tate’s BLITZ). Two J/99s are joining them (Jim Mega’s FALCON and Mark McGivney’s SHAMBLES). Others in the fleet include John Sahagian’s J/109 PICANTE and Kevin Dakan’s J/110 MEMORY.

Coastal PHRF B Division
Sailing this fleet are two J/120s (Mark Nannini’s SALACIA and John Sartorius’s ALIBI), Jim Phyfe’s J/44 DIGGER, and Brian Nelson’s J/112E HONEY BADGER.

Coastal PHRF C Division
Racing in this fleet is EC Helme’s J/92S SPIRIT from Coasters Harbor Navy Yacht Club in Newport, RI.

For more Safe Harbor Race Weekend sailing information
https://shmarinas.com/safe-harbor-race-weekend/