Sailing

Sailing is a time-worn tradition in Bermuda, though it must be said that today’s yachties are mostly privileged by birth or bank account. Regattas and races featuring International One Designs, Lasers, Optimists, Etchells, Comets, J-24s, and J-105s are held every Saturday from March to November in Hamilton Harbour and the Great Sound. Hundreds of yachts also race to Bermuda—from Newport, Rhode Island, or Marion, Massachusetts, on alternate years.

International Race Week in June attracts top skippers from all over the world. The King Edward VII Gold Cup in October brings professional sailors to compete for the oldest match-race trophy in the world in an exciting weeklong showdown.

Local yacht clubs include the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (tel. 441/295-2214, www.rbyc.bm [1]), the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club [2] (tel. 441/236-2250, www.rhadc.bm [3]), the St. George’s Dinghy Club (tel. 441/297-1612), and Sandys Boat Club (tel. 441/234-2248, www.sandysboatclub.bm [4]).

For details on races, contact any of the clubs, or the Bermuda Sailing Association (tel. 441/295-7935, info [at] bermudasail [dot] bm, www.bermudasail.bm [5]).