Transatlantic Race 2011: Newport to Lizard Point — 32 Yachts Take on a Classic Ocean Challenge

The sweeping water views along Newport Harbor are always impressive, but in late June and early July they will be especially dramatic as 32 oceangoing yachts prepare to depart for the Transatlantic Race 2011. The course covers 2,975 nautical miles from Newport, Rhode Island, to Lizard Point on the Cornish peninsula in southwest England, drawing a varied fleet and international attention to this storied ocean passage.

Competitors range from elegant classic yachts to cutting-edge superyachts. Among the entries are Sumurun, a 94-foot yacht designed by William Fife, and the extraordinary Maltese Falcon, a 289-foot custom Perini Navi clipper whose three towering masts reach roughly 190 feet—so tall they barely clear Newport’s Pell Bridge. The contrast between traditional lines and modern engineering highlights both the heritage and the technological progress of ocean racing.

Crossing the North Atlantic is a serious undertaking. Even experienced ocean racers face volatile weather systems, heavy seas, complicated navigation, and the occasional remnant of polar ice far to the north—conditions that can make a transatlantic passage both physically demanding and strategically complex. Race strategy must account for shifting wind patterns, ocean currents, and the risk of squalls and storms that are common in early summer on this route.

That mixture of challenge and history is a big part of the race’s appeal. As Sumurun’s owner Robert Towbin put it, “What I find so incredible with open-ocean racing is that there are very few things that you can do these days that are the same as what people did 400 years ago. You have such a sense of history when you’re out there and for a couple weeks you get to feel, in effect, the same way Columbus felt.” For many sailors, that connection to maritime exploration is as compelling as the competitive element.

The Transatlantic Race draws a variety of crews: seasoned ocean racers, owner-drivers, professional crew members, and passionate amateurs who have prepared extensively for the endurance and seamanship the event demands. Preparations typically include rig inspections, safety equipment checks, provisioning for long passages, and crew drills for heavy-weather sailing and emergency procedures. Safety at sea is always prioritized, and vessels follow rigorous standards for equipment, communications, and emergency readiness.

For shore-based spectators and coastal communities, the race creates a lively atmosphere. Newport’s waterfront becomes a hub of activity as final checks and repairs are completed at the docks, and locals and visitors alike gather to watch the departures. The spectacle of classic and contemporary yachts departing together provides a rare and memorable visual—the kind of scene that emphasizes both the competitive spirit and the pageantry of ocean racing.

Media coverage and live reporting help bring the race to a broader audience. The organizers will provide live blogs beginning April 26, offering updates, race tracking details, and insights from competitors as the event approaches and unfolds. For those unable to follow from the water, live tracking and blog reports are the best way to monitor progress, read firsthand accounts from skippers and crew, and view navigational decisions and tactical moves as they unfold across nearly 3,000 nautical miles of open ocean.

Whether viewed from the harbor or followed online, the Transatlantic Race 2011 represents a classic test of seamanship and endurance. Yacht design, navigational skill, weather forecasting, and crew coordination all play decisive roles in the outcome. From elegant traditional vessels to technologically advanced superyachts, the fleet’s diversity underscores the broad appeal of ocean racing and the timeless draw of the open sea.