The historic Block Island Race, hosted by the Storm Trysail Club, returns on Friday, May 22, 2026, ushering in another season of premier offshore competition for sailors from across the Northeast and beyond. First organized in 1946 by returning war veterans seeking camaraderie and a return to normalcy, the Block Island Race has grown into a beloved ocean-racing classic—challenging crews with a scenic yet demanding course around Block Island and through the ever-changing waters of Long Island and Block Island Sounds.d through the waters of the Long Island and Block Island Sounds.
Set against the stunning backdrop of Rhode Island’s coastal waters, the 2026 Block Island Race is expected to draw a competitive fleet of monohulls competing for top honors and trophies in their divisions. The race traditionally departs off Stamford, Connecticut, before rounding Block Island and returning, testing crews with a combination of strategic navigation, weather variability, and pure seamanship.