Rhody Regatta Registration and Fundraising Off to an Impressive Start
NEWPORT, RI (May 18, 2026) – The fourth annual Rhody Regatta on Saturday, May 30 is all about boat-on-boat racing and fundraising to benefit Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOW).
Already registrations are off to a great start with some impressive machines set to compete, including Wendy Schmidt’s (Newport, R.I.) Botin 45 Azulito; Richard Moody’s (Jamestown, R.I.) R/P 66 Boudicca – Gill Race Team; and returning champion Matt Brooks’ (San Diego, Calif.) S&S 52 Dorade. Rounding out the growing list is Phil Lotz’s J/160 Eudora, Brian Cunha’s (Newport, R.I.) Kerr 55 Irie 2, Robert Laska’s First 36.7 Relentless; Steve Eddleston’s (Bristol, R.I.) historic 12 Metre Weatherly; and Joe Brito’s (Bristol, R.I.) J/121 Incognito.
The Rhody Regatta features a single 18-mile course circumnavigating Conanicut Island and offers a dynamic mix of open-water sailing and tactical shoreline strategy. Photo by Stephen Cloutier
The latter two teams have thrown down the gauntlet for coming together to support a worthy cause.
Weatherly’s team members jump-started the fundraising for MOW by contributing individually on behalf of Weatherly on the MOW website. (To register your team for the fundraising challenge, visit: https://bit.ly/Rhody2026fund.)
“I simply asked my team members to contribute whatever amount seemed reasonable for them, and they were excited to participate,” said Eddleston, adding that other teams might also find that this is a good way to collectively support the effort. “It gives sailors a chance to give back while enjoying the sport that has given them so much.”
Joe Brito and his Incognito team, which has sailed in this event since its debut, has rallied to cover trophies and catering for an awards ceremony on the Sunday following the race (May 31, 5-7 pm), securing as a venue Brick Pizza Company’s impressive “Stone Room” at Unity Park (500 Wood Street) in Bristol, R.I.
Competitors can enter online at https://bit.ly/RhodyYachtscoring to secure their place on the starting line for a race that delivers both performance and purpose.
More About IYAC
The International Yacht and Athletic Club serves as Newport’s favorite sailors’ bar and is an official US SAILING-affiliated club with registered members. The IYAC Race Committee runs several area regattas for everything from sport boats to Maxi yachts, contributing significantly to the region’s vibrant racing calendar.
For more information, visit https://iyacnewport.com/ or email IYACNPT@gmail.com or mick@mickharveyyachting.com.