J/Teams Ready for Youth, Collegiate and Offshore Action at Ida Lewis Distance Race
(Newport, RI)- The Ida Lewis Distance Race is a premier 24-hour offshore sailing competition held annually in Newport, Rhode Island. Celebrating its 21st anniversary on August 14–15, 2026, the race features a variety of challenging courses through New England waters. It accommodates ORC, PHRF, and Double-Handed classes, as well as Youth and Collegiate Challenge categories. Starting at Fort Adams and concluding with a signature champagne finish inside Newport Harbor, this event attracts both seasoned and emerging sailors seeking a true test of endurance and skill.
Ida Lewis Distance Race Expects Strong Youth and Collegiate Turnout
The Ida Lewis Yacht Club is continuing its commitment to strengthening the future of offshore sailing by encouraging yacht clubs throughout Narragansett Bay and beyond to field teams in the Youth Challenge and Collegiate Challenge divisions of the Ida Lewis Distance Race presented by Kiel James Patrick.
The Ida Lewis Yacht Club is continuing its commitment to strengthening the future of offshore sailing by encouraging yacht clubs throughout Narragansett Bay and beyond to field teams in the Youth Challenge and Collegiate Challenge divisions of the IdaLewis Distance Race presented by Kiel James Patrick.
The special divisions have long been part of the annual 24-hour New England classic, which starts Friday, August 14, at 11:00 AM off Rose Island in Narragansett Bay. By providing meaningful offshore racing opportunities for younger sailors, the event has become an important step for the sport’s next generation.
The Ida Lewis Distance Race fosters development of young sailors in offshore sailing with Youth Challenge and Collegiate Challenge divisions in its annual Ida Lewis Distance Race.
“We have seen clear evidence that sailors who participate in the Ida Lewis Distance Race through these classes often continue their involvement in offshore keelboat sailing and actively seek out further opportunities to develop their skills,” said Ida Lewis Yacht Club Commodore Bill O’Hanley.
That progression was evident earlier this year at the Bermuda Race when former Youth Challenge sailor Rory Meunier-Mott (20) entered the Doublehanded Division as co-skipper of a Class 40 with Tim Kent (the duo withdrew due to a damaged sail), and Youth Challenge sailor Maddie Ammatuna (18) competed aboard the J/44 DIGGER, finishing sixth in the St. Davids Lighthouse Class 5.
Of 35 boats competing in the Ida Lewis Distance Race last year, five qualified for the Youth Challenge and six for the Collegiate Challenge by meeting the requirement that at least 40 percent of their crews be youth or collegiate sailors, respectively. In addition, 11 boats—roughly 31 percent of the fleet—carried at least one high school sailor, with 22 high school sailors participating overall. Nine boats, representing 25 percent of the fleet, included collegiate sailors, for a total of 20 college competitors.
“It was an outstanding showing of the next generation of sailors,” said Youth and Collegiate Challenge coordinator Adam Witham.
Youth Challenge Division
This year, with 47 boats entered, two J/teams have signed up for the Youth Challenge: James Phyfe’s (Cranston, R.I.) defending champion, the J/44 DIGGER, and Bill Kneller’s (Newport, R.I.) J/109 VENTO SOLARE.
“I have two returning crew members from Portsmouth High School and two new students from Dartmouth,” said Kneller. “I’m glad to be able to provide an upcoming generation of sailors the opportunity to get some keelboat experience. This is a great educational experience for them as they learn to manage their time and energy in a confined space, eating, sleeping and sailing.”
Collegiate Challenge Division
Currently entered in the Collegiate Challenge are Will Denker’s (Hull, Mass.) defending champion, the J/99 FALCON, and NEKA Sailing’s (Glen Cove, N.Y.) J/105 doublehanded entry SLEEPER.
“We are coming back with our crew of 100% University of Vermont college sailors, all under the age of 21,” said Denker, who serves as the University of Vermont’s Keelboat Captain. “Hopefully, we’ll reclaim the collegiate award and move from second in class to first! It’s super fun to be able to campaign a boat in Newport comprised of all young-adult sailors and still compete at the highest level against Newport veterans. We’ve done several overnights and inshore races this season already and are hoping that our training pays off again at Ida Lewis.”
By fostering participation of high school and college sailors, Ida Lewis Yacht Club is helping develop future offshore racers, experienced crew members and lifelong yacht club participants who will sustain the sport for years to come.
ORC 2 Division
This large 13-boat fleet includes a trio of experienced offshore J/Teams. Those teams include Ed Kaye’s J/111 PRAVDA 2, Bob Manchester’s J/133 VAMOOSE, and Rick Lyall & Jeff Johnstone’s J/40 MkII J/HAWK.
Coronet PHRF Division
Of the 14 boats racing in this fleet, 50% (7) are J/Teams! Leading the charge should be Jim Coggeshall’s J/121 CEILIDH, with Jim Phyfe’s J/44 DIGGER chasing them hard as the “big boat” leaders. Battling for class honors will also be Mark Nannini’s J/120 SALACIA, Ryan Scudder’s J/36 MkII PEREGRINE, Bill Kneller’s J/109 VENTO SOLARE, and two J/99s (Will Denker’s FALCON and Mark McZgivney’s SHAMBLES).
Bagheera PHRF Division
Two J/teams are sailing in this small division: EC Helme’s J/92S SPIRIT and Paul Kekalos’s J/40 RANGER.
The start off Fort Adams in Narragansett Bay will be a sight to see, as the fleet sets off on courses that weave through iconic New England waters, blending tactical coastal sailing with true offshore demands. Conditions can range from glassy night watches to breeze-on reaches – sometimes all in the same race. The Race Committee chooses from a set of predetermined courses before the start, based on expected wind and weather conditions.
Come mid-morning on Saturday, those who took on the challenge of sailing overnight and staying sharp through dawn can be seen finishing between Ida Lewis Yacht Club, on the south side of Newport Harbor, and a mark set near the Harbor Channel. Each boat is greeted with a bottle of Prosecco as soon as they are given the finish gun – a signature conclusion to one of offshore sailing’s more memorable, magical races.
Sailing photo credits: Stephen Cloutier
For Ida Lewis YC Distance Race results
https://yachtscoring.com/emenu/50636
For more ILYC Distance Race sailing information
https://www.ilyc.org/distancerace