The fourth annual Rhody Regatta, hosted by the International Yacht and Athletic Club (IYAC) on Saturday, May 30, will help kick off the 2026 sailing season on Narragansett Bay. Designed to combine spirited competition with meaningful community impact, the event this year benefits Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, which provides nutritious meals and essential support services to homebound seniors and individuals in need throughout the region.
“The Rhody Regatta has quickly established itself as a favorite early-season test,” said Mick Harvey, who co-chairs the event with IYAC co-owner Pat Kennedy. “It’s the perfect way to tune up boats and crews after the offseason while supporting a cause that makes a real difference in our community.”
The Rhody Regatta features a single 18-mile course circumnavigating Jamestown (also known as Conanicut Island), offering a dynamic mix of open-water legs and tactical shoreline sailing. The start and finish area will be set near Fort Adams, placing the fleet squarely in the heart of Newport’s storied sailing grounds.