Thames Yacht Club Sailors Set Sail for Newport to Bermuda Race
For most sailors on Long Island Sound, land is never far away. Even on the longest days on the water, you can usually see the shoreline somewhere on the horizon — except when the thick fog rolls in. But on June 19, several Thames Yacht Club sailors are leaving that familiar coastline behind as they take on one of offshore sailing’s greatest challenges, the 636-mile Newport to Bermuda Race.
TYC racers Eric O’Sullivan and Stu Caplan will trade the protected waters of the Thames River and Long Island Sound for days of open-ocean sailing far from land, with unpredictable weather and ocean conditions in the Gulf Stream aboard O’Sullivan’s 44’ XYacht Xcellent.
O’Sullivan is no stranger to long distance races, having completed the Ida Lewis, the Wetherill, and Vineyard races, but the Newport to Bermuda race is his first.
“I’ve been planning this for four years and all the races I’ve completed during that time prepared us for the goal of racing to Bermuda,” said O’Sullivan. “Being in the ocean is not the same as being in Long Island Sound. I’ve been in some nasty weather conditions in the ocean and understand how quickly things can go south.”
Caplan has also completed numerous long-distance races, and this course is a familiar one, as this race will mark his fifth Newport-to-Bermuda crossing.
“I hold Mother Nature in great reverence,” said Caplan. “In the 1982 race, the boom broke with 15′ waves on the bow in the middle of the race, and we still won our class on Conamor. The 2022 race included many hours surfing with the Asym in 18′ waves and surging at 17 to 20 knots. I think the fundamental difference between Bermuda and the Vineyard or Around Long Island Race is the irrevocable commitment to take whatever nature has to offer without a safe harbor.”
“We are incredibly proud to have two TYC members participating in the Newport to Bermuda Race—one of sailing’s most challenging and prestigious offshore competitions,” said TYC Commodore Colin Redhead.
2026 marks the 54th biennial ocean sailing competition that highlights seamanship and the spirit of sailing. Started in 1906, it’s the oldest regularly scheduled ocean race and one of the few international distance races held almost entirely out of sight of land.
“Going through the Gulf Stream is exciting and unpredictable,” said O’Sullivan. “I enjoy adventure. Xcellent was built for heavy seas and strong wind and it can handle rough sea states really well.”
“This race represents the pinnacle of competitive sailing, said TYC Rear Commodore Josh Hazelwood. “Eric and Stu have trained extensively and have exceptional skills and dedication necessary to participate in this high-level, challenging race.”
O’Sullivan says he enjoys a sweet treat while sailing, bringing along Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and he always packs his Huk boots because he says, “there’s nothing worse than wet feet.”
Joining O’Sullivan and Caplan aboard Xcellent are Connecticut sailors Maisey Jobson, Joe Pelletier, Chris White, Steve Green, Jim Slavin, and Jay Tedeschi who has raced on several boats at TYC, along with two Rhode Island sailors, Daniel Renn and Elizabeth Sutton.
“With 10 crew members, we plan to have two watches of five operating in four hour shifts,” said O’Sullivan.
The race continues to attract sailors from around the world. In 2024, nearly 50 boats had at least one sailor from one of 25 countries. More than 4,000 spectators are expected to witness the start of the race off Fort Adams, while more than 10,000 are expected to tune in online to watch a livestream of the event at https://bermudarace.com/live/
TYC members will be among those tuning in, watching and cheering Xcellent’s progress with great excitement and admiration.
“They are doing something many of us only dream about but never get to do, so it will be great to watch their progress throughout the race and celebrate with them when they return to New London,” said TYC racer Daniel Andrews.
To Eric and Stu: We’re behind you 100 percent. We wish you fair winds, favorable seas, and a safe passage to Bermuda. May your preparation, seamanship, and teamwork carry you through to the finish line. We can’t wait to celebrate your accomplishment with you when you return. – Nancy Andrews