J/Crews Enjoy Lovely Conanicut YC Round Island Race

ByStuart Johnstone
Sailboats racing with colorful spinnakers on water.


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(Jamestown, RI)- The Around the Island Race (ATI) is the flagship sailing event for the Conanicut Yacht Club and the crown jewel of Narragansett Bay yacht racing. Held annually since 1927, the ATI sails the classic 18.0nm course around the scenic Conanicut Island, typically drawing close to 100 boats in both racing and cruising classes.

And, what a spectacular day it was for the 98th Around the Island Race! 86 boats took on the full lap of Jamestown on Sunday, August 31, after a morning that looked doubtful on the forecast— a light NW breeze fading before a SE fill. With shortened-course marks prepped at the Jamestown Bridge and Beavertail, the fleet launched off Conanicut Yacht Club in 8–10 knots and a flooding tide.

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Up the first beat, it was all about connecting the puffs and staying patient. After the northern turn, kites went up, until the wind dropped out near the Jamestown Bridge and clocked southeast— a full-on “restart.†A few savvy calls paid big, namely several boats that slipped inside Dutch Island to find pressure first. Soon, a beautiful southeasterly cool breeze blew in from the temperate waters of the North Atlantic Ocean and Rhode Island Sound, to grace the fleet with a fast port tack fetch to Beavertail Lighthouse point and Newton Rock red bell. Then, it was a quick tack, and another fast reach on starboard to the finish line just off Conanicut YC inside Narragansett Bay. In the end, it was a colorful day of upwind work, downwind parades, and tactical calls all around the island. Overall, J/Teams faired quite well in the classic round island race.

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PHRF B- Non-spin Division
In this eight-boat fleet, Scott Ferguson’s J/35 UNA took the silver medal while Kim Anderson’s J/42 LARVIK won the bronze medal.

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PHRF F Division
This seven-boat fleet saw the two J/109s enjoy a see-saw 18.0nm battle going around the island. In the end, it was John Sahagian’s PICANTE taking the silver medal, while Bill Kneller’s VENTO SOLARE garnered the bronze medal.

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PHRF G Division
Winning this fleet was Susan & Sean Doyle’s J/112E PHOENIX, also taking 4th PHRF Overall!

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PHRF H Division
While five J/crews sailed in this fleet of eight boats, only Joe Brito’s J/121 INCOGNITO was able to get a podium finish, taking the bronze medal and missing the class win by just over 3 minutes! Fourth place went to Jeff Johnstone’s J/40 DOV, and fifth place was Jack Gregg’s J/122 TARAHUMARA.

Sailing Photo credits- @blockislandsteve

For more Conanicut YC Round Island Race sailing information
https://conanicutyachtclub.org/ati-race-details-waterfront