Team Dorade sailed in two regattas at the beginning of June in Newport, and our favorite 94-year-old yawl earned silverware in both events. Both regattas included a classic around-Jamestown racecourse for which the team has developed a good capability, and the results were positive.
In one of the newest events on the Newport-area calendar, the 2nd annual Rhody Regatta organized by Newport’s International Yacht & Athletic Club, competition was excellent, consisting of mostly modern design racing boats. Starting in a light northerly, navigating a super-light transition, and then settling into a building southerly, Dorade “punched above her weight class,” according to owner Matt Brooks who was quoted in Newport This Week. At times Dorade led the entire fleet and ultimately won its class and overall honors on corrected time. (See results.)
The event raised money for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
In the two-part 170th New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta, Dorade finished behind the newly re-rigged New York 40 Marilee, which replaced its classic gaff rig with the marconi rig it used previously. Equipped with new sails similar to Dorade’s wardrobe, they were hard to keep pace with during this regatta, according to Kevin Miller, Dorade’s sailing master.
Vying for second place with Dorade was Alexander Mehran’s beautiful 57-foot, 1941 Sparkman & Stephens sloop Gesture. Dorade, just shy of 53 feet long, finished behind Gesture in Friday’s around the island race on corrected time, but nosed ahead to take second in the buoy racing series held Saturday and Sunday. (Friday results; Saturday results)
