Dorade wins big at second Rhody Regatta

Dorade wins the IYAC's second annual Rhody Regatta © Stephen R Cloutier

The International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC) hosted its second annual Rhody Regatta on Saturday, June 1, and Matt Brooks's (Freemont, Calif./Jamestown, R.I.) 1929 Sparkman & Stephens yawl Dorade stole the show.

Not only was the 52' classic yacht visually striking by virtue of its sleek lines drawn by famous naval architect Olin Stephens but also it appeared to be "always in the right place" despite a variety of often-fickle conditions. Sailing to win its five-boat Class 3, Dorade also claimed overall victory when scored collectively with the regatta's 16 entries.

The Rhody Regatta, an 18-mile race around Conanicut (Jamestown) Island, raises funds for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank through donations by the entered teams. (The fundraising link will be kept live through the month of June, should anyone wish to make further donations.)

"It was our first event this year, and we found it very interesting, very tactical," said Brooks, describing a northerly at the start, then a large calm before the southwesterly sea breeze kicked in, allowing boats from behind to catch up with the leaders. "We thought we were boxing above our weight class, because there were some good boats in our class, but at one point, we were ahead of everyone, regardless of class. I'm just always amazed that a boat that's almost 100 years old can still be so competitive."

Other winners were Steve Thurston's (Bristol, R.I.) J/29 Mighty Puffin in Class 1; Ed Adams' (Middletown, R.I.) Beneteau 36.7 Five East in Class 2; and Tom Rich's (Portsmouth, R.I.) GP42 Settler in Class 4.

The Rhode Island Community Food Bank acquires and distributes millions of pounds of food per year through its 143 member agencies, including food pantries, meal sites and shelters. The Food Bank currently serves a record 80,000 Rhode Islanders each month - higher even than during the height of Covid.

Second Annual Rhody Regatta (June 1, 2024) Results:

Class 1 (PHRF - 4 Boats)

1. Mighty Puffin, J 29 29, Steve Thurston, Bristol, RI, USA - 1; 1
2. Pink Rose, J70 22, Brendon Scanlon, Newport, RI, USA - 2; 2
3. Triskele, VX One 19, Thomas Newman, Middletown, RI, USA - 3; 3

Class 2 (PHRF - 4 Boats)

1. Five East, Beneteau 36.7 36, Ed Adams, MIDDLETOWN, RI, USA - 1; 1
2. MAKAI, C&C 110 36, Alex anda Ted Hood, Newport, RI, USA - 2; 2
3. Relentless, Beneteau First 36.7 36, Robert Laska, Warwick, RI, USA - 5; 5

Class 3 (PHRF - 5 Boats)

1. Dorade, S&S 52 52.5, Matt Brooks, Fremont, CA, USA - 1; 1
2. Incognito, J 121 40, Joe Brito, Bristol, RI, USA - 2; 2
3. Chinook, C&C 30 ODR 30, Michael Patterson, Middletown, RI, USA - 3; 3

Class 4 (PHRF - 3 Boats)

1. Settler, GP42 42, Tom Rich, Portsmouth, RI, USA - 1; 1
2. IRIE 2, Kerr 55 55, Brian Cunha, Newport, RI, USA - 2; 2
3. Boudicca, R/P 66 66, Richard Moody, Jamestown, RI, USA - 4; 4

Find full results here