Ida Lewis Distance Race draws strong youth and collegiate participation

The Ida Lewis Distance Race, organized by the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and presented by Kiel James Patrick, will begin on Friday, August 14 at 11 a.m. off Rose Island in Narragansett Bay. The 24‑hour offshore competition includes Youth Challenge and Collegiate Challenge divisions, with registration open through August 10 and 38 boats entered so far.

Three teams have signed up for the Youth Challenge – defending champion J/44 Digger skippered by James Phyfe, the CBC Youth Offshore Team’s Figaro 2 Red Shift, and Bill Kneller’s J/109 Vento Solare. Two boats are entered in the Collegiate Challenge, including defending champion J/99 Falcon crewed entirely by University of Vermont sailors under 21, led by skipper Will Denker. Commodore Bill O’Hanley noted that participation in the race often leads young sailors to continue in offshore keelboat competition, highlighting the event’s role in developing the next generation of offshore racers.