The Mitchell Regattas are biannual races from Newport to Block Island (RI, USA). More details and current info at https://newportyachtclub.org/offshore-sailing
Friday, October 10, 2025
Monday, May 26, 2025
Spring 2025
Notes
On Saturday, the forecast had been for westerly winds of 10-15 knots, with gusts to 20, but the reality was mostly upper teens from the southwest, maybe WSW. The seas were fairly steep and confused with much pounding reported. Aboard Salty Beach, we departed around 0800 in hopes of arriving at the same time as the competitors. As we approached Point Judith, the support for the mast compression post partly collapsed, but we were able to quickly douse the sails before the rig came down. We motored back to Newport where we unloaded the boat and headed home to South Kingstown. I (Brian) scrambled to load up my bicycle trailer with all the trophies and beer, then ride down to the Block Island ferry in time for the 5 o’clock boat. Bill and Kim on Larvik had very generously offered me a spot so I called ahead to confirm that they still had a bunk available for me. They confirmed, but informed me their boat had partially flooded and suffered a small electrical fire! It seems the knot-meter impeller had popped loose during the pounding on the way out. Fortunately, they are level-headed and experienced mariners who were able to get the plug back in and make it into Payne’s dock sans-instruments. Aside from the fact that they had all the cushions and clothing spread out to dry on deck, they had cleaned the interior so well by the time I arrived, it looked like nothing had happened.
Sunday was partly sunny with highs in the low 60s, breezy with northwest winds around 15 knots. The contests and awards went well.
Monday was mostly sunny with light winds from the south
Bloody Mary Contest
Winner: Whalayed with a tequila-based recipe
Other Entries: SoCoWe and Vento Solare
Hors d’Oeuvre Contest
Taste
- SoCoWe mini tacos
- Larvik “BI Sinkers” (chicken wrapped in bacon with dipping sauce)
- Coconut chive sweet chili
Presentation
- SoCoWe mini tacos
- Vento Solare caprese ladybugs
- Whalayed Jaws theme veggie and cheese tray
Cliff Mitchell Trophy
For the closest (to third) fourth-place finish: Gallop
John E. Rebello Team Trophy
EGYC Blue Team (SoCoWe, Wild T’ing): 6 points
Other Teams
Race Results
| Class 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 3 | 14:10 | Whalayed | Express 35 | John Whaley | 135 |
| 2 | 6 | 14:30 | Alba | Dawn 48 Ketch | Peter Rosati | 118 |
| 3 | 7 | 14:59 | SoCoWe - Mystic Revival | Pearson 10M | Jeb & Kate Barnes | 190 |
| DNF | Spartina | Hanse 400 | David Wehr | 117 | ||
| DNS | Island Bound | Hunter 460 | Walter Wasowski | 123 | ||
| Class 2 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 1 | 13:58 | Coconut | Beneteau First 36.7 | Tom D'Albora | 92 |
| 2 | 2 | 13:58:06 | Vento Solare | J/109 | Bill Kneller | 94 |
| 3 | 4 | 14:26 | Wild T’ing | Dufour 40 Performance | Stephen Ammatuna | 99 |
| 4 | 5 | 14:28 | Gallop | Hanse 430 | Dennis Ferreira | 89 |
| DNF | Larvik | J/42 | Kim Andersen | 110 | ||
Non-Racers
| Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant |
|---|---|---|
| Salty Beach | Laguna Windrose 24 | Brian Clayton |
Monday, October 14, 2024
Fall 2024
Notes
On Saturday the weather was partly sunny with a strong westerly breeze that slowly shifted slightly northwest. Wind was generally 15-20 knots with higher gusts. The seas were 4-6 feet and somewhat steep past Point Judith, but the conditions at least made for a fast ride. Aboard Floating Point, it was our second-fastest time in memory (3 hours 3 minutes).
The last boat to finish, Mischief, was slowed down from their usual fast pace by accidentally trawling with the genoa they thought was on deck. In good fun, they wore paper bags over their heads to hide the shame of what they termed a “rookie mistake” as they passed by Payne’s Dock after the finish.
Sunday started out cloudy and a little breezy from the east before nearly dying altogether in the evening. The Bloody Mary, costume, and hors d’ouevres contests went well, but the awards were delayed slightly due to the time to tally results. Many boats left in early afternoon, but six of us stayed: Dark Star, Floating Point, Larvik, Mutinous Dogs, SoCoWe, and Windswept. By evening the wind diminished to almost nothing and it got warm with the sun peeking through for a beautiful sunset.
The forecast for Monday had been for a strong westerly or southwesterly of at least 15-20 knots, possibly more, and higher gusts, expected overnight into Monday morning. It never materialized and the wind filled gently from the northeast in the early morning before dying nearly completely. A gentle westerly, maybe 10 knots, eventually filled in the early afternoon. There were a few sprinkles and it was cloudy most of the day.
Bloody Mary Contest
Winner: SoCoWe
Other Entries: Dark Star, Island Bound, Persistence, Vento Solare
Costume Contest
Winner: Redneck Yacht Club (SoCoWe)
Runner Up: Margaritaville (Dark Star)
Hors d’Oeuvre Contest
Taste
- Take Two
- Larvik
- Rigandoon
Presentation
- Vento Solare
- Persistence
- Floating Point
Cliff Mitchell Trophy
For the closest (to third) fourth-place finish: Persistence
John E. Rebello Team Trophy
Ventsweptlik (Vento Solare, Windswept, Larvik): 5 points
Other Teams
Race Results
| Class 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 10 | 13:08 | Windswept | Pearson 33 | Rick McCally | 221 |
| 2 | 13 | 13:22 | Aurora | Sabre 28 | Kate Soule | 256 |
| 3 | 14 | 13:28 | Island Bound | Hunter 460 | Walter Wasowski | 123 |
| 4 | 15 | 13:31 | Osprey | Pearson 28-1 | Becky Shoemaker | 228 |
| 5 | 16 | 13:44 | Mischief | Cape Dory 28 | Henry duPont | 255 |
| DNS | Serendipity | Freedom 30 SD | Gary Venable | 203 | ||
| Class 2 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 4 | 12:55:55 | Mutinous Dogs | Tartan Ten | Marc Holdaway | 154 |
| 2 | 5 | 12:56:25 | Larvik | Pearson 10M | Kim Andersen | 177 |
| 3 | 9 | 13:07:20 | Dark Star | C&C 34 | Ben Johnston | 166 |
| 4 | 11 | 13:11 | Perseverance | Beneteau Oceanis 41 | Robert Fye | 144 |
| 5 | 12 | 13:20 | SoCoWe - Mystic Revival | Pearson 10M | Jeb & Kate Barnes | 190 |
| Class 3 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 1 | 12:47 | Take Two | JPK 45 | Gordon Fletcher | 79 |
| 2 | 2 | 12:55:45 | Vento Solare | J/109 | Bill Kneller | 94 |
| 3 | 3 | 12:55:50 | Shamrock | J/35 | F.J. Ritt | 111 |
| 4 | 6 | 12:56:30 | Persistence | C&C 41 | Brandon and Kate Somers | 111 |
| 5 | 7 | 12:57 | Rigadoon | J/105 | Jack Silberman | 111 |
| 6 | 8 | 12:58 | Floating Point | Frers 40 Custom | Caryn Cummings/Brian Clayton | 110 |
| DNS | Ursa | J/109 | Brooke Mastrorio | 94 | ||
Monday, May 27, 2024
Spring 2024
Notes
Conditions for Saturday were sunny, but the breeze was light, around 5 knots
from the northwest at the start. It gradually shifted around to a southerly
direction while remaining light, before briefly filling in to around 12 knots
from the southwest after 2:00p before diminishing again.
The tide was ebbing for most of the race and there were many holes with little
to no wind so many boats motored in. Coconut was unable to make the
start, reportedly due to not having their mast in.
Sunday was overcast, but decently warm with highs in the upper 60s F. We had the Bloody Mary contest at the outdoor bar, but Mahogony Shoals was actually open for the first time this early (actually began last year when we cancelled), so we had the hors d’oeuvres and awards on a couple picnic tables at the far end of the pier where most of us were docked.
Monday was quite foggy all morning, with visibility at a quarter mile or less. Fog seemed to clear a bit after 2:00p as the breeze kicked up to the low teens (knots), but it remained pretty hazy.
Bloody Mary Contest
Winner: Solstice
Other entries included Five East, Island Bound, Larvik, Pau Hana, and Vento Solare
Hors d’Oeuvre Contest
Taste
- Dark Start (Mac ‘n Cheese Sliders)
- Outcast (Bisque/potato skins)
- Pau Hana (Bacon Goat Cheese Bruschetta)
Presentation
- Pau Hana (Bacon Goat Cheese Bruschetta)
- Outcast (Bisque/potato skins)
- Vento Solare (Crab)
Race Results
| Class 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 3 | 15:38 | Dark Star | C&C 34 | Ben Johnston | 166 |
| 2 | 5 | 16:18 | Larvik | Pearson 10M | Kim Andersen | 177 |
| 3 | 6 | 16:39 | Pegasus | Sabre 36 | Scott Walker | 146 |
| Class 2 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 1 | 15:16 | Five East | Beneteau First 36.7 | Ed Adams | 109 |
| 2 | 2 | 15:18:56 | Vento Solare | J/109 | Bill Kneller | 94 |
| 3 | 4 | 16:02 | Floating Point | Frers 40 Custom | Roy Guay | 110 |
Non-Racers
| Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant |
|---|---|---|
| Outcast | Ocean 42 | Kristina Tracy |
Monday, October 9, 2023
Fall 2023
Notes
Saturday conditions were overcast with occasional showers. Wind started out as 10-15 knots from the east with a large swell, maybe 6-8 feet. The breeze lightened to below 10 knots in the afternoon so the earlier starters were favored. Saturday night was a bit rough at Payne’s dock as the breeze came up from the WNW at 20-30 knots before shifting to more of a straight westerly.
Sunday was mostly sunny, but the breeze stayed strong from the west at 20-25 knots before diminishing a bit in the afternoon. Sunday night was much nicer sleeping.
Monday was again mostly sunny with a lovely 15-20 knots from WSW for a pretty quick and easy reach back to Newport.
Bloody Mary Contest
Winner: Island Bound with a unique spicy rum-based version with pineapple
Costume Contest
The first ever! Winner: Dinosaur Family (Dark Star parents and kids dressed in dinosaur onesies)
Others included a witch (Pegasus), Jimmy Buffett fan (Island Bound), and a pirate (Salty Beach)
Hors d’Oeuvre Contest
Taste
- Take Two
- Dark Star
- Pegasus
Presentation
- Vento Solare
- Take Two
- Island Bound
John E. Rebello Team Trophy
This went to the only team formed this year. If memory serves, it was Vento Solare, Pau Hana, and Windswept.
Race Results
| Class 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 1 | 12:40 | Windswept | Pearson 33 | Rick McCally | 218 |
| 2 | 2 | 12:47 | Mischief | Cape Dory 28 | Henry duPont | 255 |
| Class 2 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 3 | 12:54 | Pau Hana | Catalina 36 MkII | David Wilson | 177 |
| 2 | 5 | 13:02 | Dark Star | C&C 34 | Ben Johnston | 166 |
| 3 | 6 | 13:04 | Pegasus | Sabre 36 | Scott Walker | 146 |
| Class 3 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 7 | 13:19 | Vento Solare | J/109 | Bill Kneller | 94 |
| 2 | 8 | 13:25 | Take Two | JPK 45 | Gordon Fletcher | 79 |
| Class 4 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 4 | 12:55 | Salty Beach | Laguna Windrose 24 | Brian Clayton | 278 |
| 2 | 9 | 14:15 | Island Bound | Hunter 460 | Walter Wasowski | 123 |
Non-Racers
| Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant |
|---|---|---|
| Nepenthe | Power (GB36) | Bob Read |
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Monday, October 10, 2022
Fall 2022
Notes
Early Saturday morning was quite cool with temps in the high 40s F, cloudy and even a little rain early. The breeze was initially 10-15 knots from the NW, forecast to shift W. Around Point Judith as the sun came out things got light and shifty, varying between W and SW and maybe 5-12 knots.
The beautiful custom 58′ yawl Caroler was kind enough to carry the grill out for us. They were too kind to say so, but there’s little doubt it was the extra weight of the grill that led them to motor in 😉
Weather on the island was beautifully sunny for the most part, although cooler than typical with temps in the low 50s F overnight, maybe reaching 60 during the days. Saturday night was breezy, around 20 knots from the NNW which made for rough sleeping from the waves at Paynes. Sunday afternoon the wind was W, 10-15 knots. Sunday night was much calmer. Monday was again sunny, with a SW wind, 10-15 knots, gusts of 20.
Bloody Mary Contest
- Pau Hana
- Caroler
- Persistence
- Dark Star
Hors d’Oeuvre Contest
Taste
- Persistence
- Goat Rodeo
- Aurora
Presentation
- Pau Hana
- Dark Star
- Coconut
Race Results
| Class 1 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 1 | 13:25 | Aurora | Sabre 28 | Kate Soule | 256 |
| 2 | 3 | 13:38 | Windswept | Pearson 33 | Rick McCally | 218 |
| 3 | 9 | 14:33 | Salty Beach | Laguna Windrose 24 | Brian Clayton | 278 |
| 4 | DNS | Mischief | Cape Dory 28 | Henry duPont | 255 | |
| Class 2 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 2 | 13:31 | Mutinous Dogs | Tartan Ten | Marc Holdaway | 154 |
| 2 | 6 | 14:03 | Dark Star | C&C 34 | Ben Johnston | 166 |
| 3 | 7 | 14:08 | Persistence | C&C 34 | Kate Somers | 173 |
| 4 | 8 | 14:11 | Pau Hana | Catalina 36 MkII | David Wilson | 177 |
| 5 | DNS | Pula | Beneteau 343 | Robert Francis | 192 | |
| Class 3 | ||||||
| Place | Overall | Finish | Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant | PHRF |
| 1 | 4 | 13:40 | Goat Rodeo | Seaquest 36 | Todd Johnston | 75 |
| 2 | 5 | 13:51 | Coconut | Beneteau First 36.7 | Tom D'Albora | 93 |
| 3 | DNF | Caroler | Custom 58' Yawl | Jay Everson | 98 | |
Non-Racers
| Boat Name | Boat Type | Registrant |
|---|---|---|
| Nepenthe | Power (GB36) | Bob Read |